Real Rest by Victoria Stankus

As I was thinking of things I needed to do before traveling to help my mother-in-law for a few weeks I thought about my blog. I really want to keep going with my weekly posts on rest. I also want to be realistic and not set myself up to fail. God blessed me with the idea to ask fellow authors and bloggers who have blessed me with their writing to share their thoughts on rest. The next few weeks I will be doing just that. I hope you are blessed as I was.

Today I am privileged to welcome Victoria Stankus.

REAL REST by Victoria Stankus

Are you weak in spirit? Is your heart heavy with a burden? Read what it says here in Matthew 11:28:

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Its not just a physical kind of rest Jesus is talking about here. (Taking a nice warm bath, or getting a massage can help with that for a little while.) Its REAL REST He’s talking about - the kind that comes from within - the kind that comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus and allowing HIM to carry our burdens. 

Think about this past week for a moment.... 

-How often have you lost your self-control?  

-How often have you yelled at your children for something they did wrong?  

-How often have you raised your voice to your spouse because he/she wasn’t meeting your expectations?  

-How often have you chewed out a friend over something that was rather unimportant? 

Losing your self-control in these ways is usually caused by being tired, stressed, overworked, and feeling unappreciated. I admit I am among those of you who have felt this way recently; and I know ALL of us do at one point or another. It is a typical human response as we seek fulfillment from others, rather than from the Lord.

It is a good reminder for us all to realize sitting at the feet of Jesus is what will bring more rest for weary souls than anything else. Lorrie Flem, the Publisher of Eternal Encouragement Magazine has said, “You cannot be a nurturer unless you yourself are nurtured.”  But, it’s a matter of choice. If we neglect Him, or don’t take the time to rest in His presence, our feelings of frustration and despair will get the best of us. So, what do YOU think would be the better choice? 

I love this old hymn that talks of this very thing... 

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Words by: Joseph Scriven, 1855

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in prayer; Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there. 

Victoria Stankus has been married for 20 years, and is a homeschooling mother of two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching a good movie, organizing, bargain hunting, and writing for her blogs. You can visit her main blog, where she uses a variety of topics to encourage others in their Christian walk, at: http://he-holds-my-right-hand.blogspot.com