Photo by Zo Razafindramamba on Unsplash
You may listen to this message on my Anchor podcast Moving K.O.R.E. WORD by clicking on the link here: Episode 9
I didn’t write a message for this last weekend.
Sometimes, we need to take a break from it all! So, that is what I did. A time to rest is essential for benefitting our mental health, getting emotional support, stabilizing our physical body, and freeing up our spirit… How can one do this?
One needs to unplug from keeping up with the world’s news and getting caught up in how other people are living their lives. It seems that to de-stress, it would be plausible to get our minds off ourselves and just veg out by doing such things.
However, it is very much needed for one to spend some time thinking about one’s own life, getting some of one’s own priorities in order, caring for one’s own needs, and taking positive steps needed to live one’s own life better…
The most important commandments JESUS gave our 1) Love GOD with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself…
To love GOD is to spend time with HIM and do HIS will. To love your neighbor, you need to love yourself… If you’re running on empty, you need the LORD to restore your soul, anoint your head with oil, and refill your cup to overflowing as described in Psalm 23.
There is a balance found when we care for ourselves that will radiate from us , even overflow from within outwardly with GOD’s love to those around us…
What are some steps to take to love ourselves to be who GOD desires for us to be?
One can renew their mind by reading GOD’s Word and praying about the things heavy on one’s mind… Letting GOD know your needs that are legitimate, your stressors that weigh upon your shoulders, your feelings that overwhelm brings HIM into the equation to give what you’re truly needing to receive…
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It is wise to seek GOD’s wisdom from HIS Word that will guide our thoughts which will lead our actions… Time is well spent which will eventually give us insight and right desire to know and do HIS will…
Psalm 19:7 (NIV)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Reading the Word refreshes the soul of the Believer in the LORD… It needs to be taken into us daily as one would take vitamins for the body…
One can go to the LORD and just spend time with HIM in prayer (talking to HIM as a best friend, reading/meditating on the Word and listening to what HE is saying through it as if spoken directly to you).
When one does this:
- HE will give rest that is better than sleep.
- HE will restore one’s soul.
- HE will revive one’s spirit and heart.
- HE will renew one’s strength.
The following verses in GOD’s Word are promises to be applied and experienced…
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 23:3 (KJV)
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
What are some signs that you are overloaded and needing to recharge with the LORD:
- Taking in too much negative information that keeps you from doing self-care and/or providing for your family if you have one
- Forgetting to or not prioritizing reading the Word, meditating on the Word, or praying
- Getting frustrated, stressed, and/or even angry that plans you want to have happen are not working out and focus is not on trusting GOD’s plan/timing
- Trying to do everything in your own strength rather than humbly being dependent upon GOD as your ever-present help in time of need
- Overly focused on future wants/plans while neglecting what steps to take in the present
- Excessive amount of time online whether that be social media, news coverage, or entertainment that interferes with daily living and leaves you with a feeling of being empty, stuck, or spinning your wheels
- Staying up late and not sleeping enough
You have the choice to take necessary steps to tap into GOD’s provision for your life…
You have a will to cooperate with HIM in making the changes that will bless you inside…
You may very well be in a season of preparation for what HE has in store for you at a later date.
What can you do in the meantime?
Let HIM know your needs…
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let go by giving HIM your anxieties…
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Enjoy time with HIM and wait in expectation for your heart’s desires to come true…
Psalm 37:4-6 (NIV)
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Practice giving HIM thanks…
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
Choose the attitude of giving thanks and choose joy anew each day because HIS love endures forever…
Psalm 118 (NIV)
Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b]
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up[c] to the horns of the altar.28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Trust in the LORD by loving HIM…
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Put your trust in the LORD for HE has a perfect plan for you…
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Trust in the LORD and HIS timing for what you’re needing and waiting for and let HIM work out the details…
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Rest is needed by everyone. One needs to heed the warning signs of stress and feelings of anxiety/confusion/disorder/disorientation/depression and make positive changes that GOD and HIS Word relieves for the Believer… Spending time with HIM in the quiet at home or in nature will be rewarded with benefits to one’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being… There is no better time than starting now!! Applying HIS truth and promises will bring you to the place of peace and rest you’re desperate for…
If you have questions or comments to share, connect here: Connect
If you want to share your testimony, have prayer requests, want to share answered prayer, or give GOD thanks, connect with me here: Share Your Life
If you’d like to consider joining K.O.R.E. ministry, connect with me here: Get Involved
Remember: JESUS loves you…
✟K.O.R.E. 