"Therefore,
since the promise of entering his rest still stands,
let us be careful that none of you
be found to have fallen short of it.
For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us,
just as they did;
but the message they heard was of no value to them,
because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."
Hebrews 4:1-2
My mind is like a high-powered computer, processing information pertaining to my struggles at the speed of light, flitting from one problem to another as I think of all the possible solutions and probable outcomes. From the moment I wake up, my brain is powered up and ready to go, speeding off down trails of random thoughts and memories or rushing forward through the forest of worry. Either way, the battle of anxiety I face each day is fought in my mind.
As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I can live in peace, free from the mines hidden in the battlefield that is my mind. This anxiety-free place exists; all I need do is enter into the peaceful garden my Father has created just for me. How can I get to this wonderful oasis?
Prove It
I looked at the slippery, muddy log spanning the small, dried-up gully as I made it to the halfway point of a mud run challenge sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps. I thought to myself, that log looks sturdy enough, but the only way I could prove my faith in it's integrity was to place my full weight on it as I used the fallen tree as a bridge to cross the wide ditch and continue on toward the finish line.
My walk with Christ is similarly like this obstacle course in which I will encounter all sorts of situations that stretch my faith. I have the choice of hanging back, talking about how much I trust God but failing to move forward, or I can show that my faith in my Father is true by moving onward despite my fears.
I have a God who has promised to take care of all my needs. When I place all my eggs in His basket, refusing to have a back-up plan or explore the 'what ifs' in my mind, then my faith is proved real. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
I enter into the rest God has provided for me when I prove my faith in Him to be real by walking through the fire with the calm assurance that He is there with me. (Isaiah 43)
Guard
Green, prickly vines crisscrossed the ground, turning my backyard into a jungle. When I declared war three years ago on these insidious blackberry vines, poison ivy, and other wild plants, I invested hours each day hacking away at the unrelenting pests. After digging deep to find the taproot or the end of the meandering root systems, I was able to conquer most of the invaders.
Even though I got rid of the largest part of the problem, I still must vigilantly guard against new growth by using my hoe like a surgeon uses a scalpel to remove a cancerous growth. Staying aware of this ongoing problem and attacking invaders at their first appearance is key to staying ahead of the weed's progression.
As a human being with a sinful nature, I must stay equally as vigilant in guarding against a bitter root taking hold in my heart and giving birth to anger, resentment, hurt and hate. (Hebrews 12:15) Just like the blackberries and other invaders wreak havoc, preventing the growth of any good plants, bitterness can rise up before I realize what is happening, blocking out the fruit of God's Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) If I want to allow the peace of God to rule in my heart, I would be wise to let go of unforgiveness.
I enter into the rest God has provided for me as I liberally forgive those who hurt me, let go of unmet expectations, and accept the place in which God has placed me, thus preventing the growth of a bitter root.
Today
"Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?" This is the motto of the procrastinator. While living according to this creed may lend itself to the "Don't worry, be happy" mentality, it is not the way God has designed for me to live in relationship with Him.
As God's child, He has already prepared a peaceful place of rest in which I can reside while the storms of life rage all around me. Since He's already created a refuge for me, there is no reason to wait. Today is the day! As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6:2, ". . .now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."
A life of peace is possible despite the troubles swarming around me. The power of God transcends all my trials and gives me the ability to rise above the swirling current as I let Him take care of me.
I enter into the rest God has provided for me when I say to myself, "Today is the day!"
The fallen world in which I live is filled with difficulty, stress and heartache. I can either choose to dwell among it, focusing on all that is bad, or I can show I trust my Father by walking forward with the calm assurance of His provision and protection, guarding against the root of bitterness taking hold in my heart, and taking the initiative to follow my Shepherd today. Then I will find that quiet resting place designed especially for me.
As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will live as God intended, at rest and free from worry.
When do I let my worries rule my life instead of the peace that comes from trusting God?
How am I harboring anger or resentment in my heart?
