I have been working through Lisa Hite’s 40 Day One Word Lenten Challenge – although I’m behind. I didn’t find it and start in time for Lent. But my guess is God will honor it and teach me through it regardless of which 40 days I observe. Anyway, I am learning so much.
In case you aren’t familiar, my “one word” is the word I feel led by God to focus on for this year. I chose “rest” which ties in to “trust” that was my first ever word focus last year.
Day 4 of the challenge asked us to make a list common phrases that include our one word.
- eternal rest
- rest in peace
- rest on your laurels
- the rest of the story
- rest assured
- at rest
- God rest his soul
- I rest my case
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman (more of a title than a phrase)
- lay to rest
- no rest for the weary
- the rest is history
- R&R (rest and relaxation)
- RICE (an acronym for treatment of an injury – rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- the rest of my life
Some of these phrases don’t really apply since they mean “the remainder”. A few relate to my focus for 2022 with the general idea of cessation of work, movement or striving; such as “R&R”, “RICE”, “rest assured” and even “I rest my case”. But what stuck out to me like a neon sign? A full 1/3 of the phrases I came up with refer to death!
I think many people subscribe to the “you can rest when you die” mentality. Go big, go hard, chase the dream/ money/ adventure, etc. Nothing wrong with hard word or even hard play. But without rest built into our schedule, we will eventually burn out or find eternal rest entirely too early.
Not because the Almighty God couldn’t keep going, but because He knew we needed the example so we would rest. Our bodies need rest, but our mind and emotions need it too.
Why “Rest” Is My One Word
I feel called to shoot straight here. And I can without judgement because I’m talking to myself as well. If there is an area of your life in which you feel you cannot rest, I guarantee that you lack trust in God over that same area. God knew we needed rest for our own physical and emotional well being, but for our spiritual health as well.
True rest means we are trusting God. We don’t have to work (or worry, etc) 24/7 because God’s working on our behalf. I realize it’s easier said than done. Which is why I’m learning about and meditating on rest this year. Believing I’m ultimately responsible for it all is exhausting. Trusting that He holds it all in His control frees me to…rest.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
Here I am again unable to pick just one feature! Good problem to have. I want to highlight Barbara Lee Harper’s book review because it’s a book I really need to read. And I want to feature Grace and Truth’s own Lisa Burgess because she really made me think with Just One Roll of Toilet Paper, OK? Happy reading!
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Thanks so much for mentioning the book I reviewed.
My favorite verse on rest is Isaiah 30:15b: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But I just found one neat tidbit of information this morning. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” the word “rest” there means tent, covering, tabernacle. How neat that God’s powers rests on us in our weakness.
Barbara, thank you so much for sharing this. I needed to see both of these passages today!
I never really thought of how many phrases associated with rest do, in fact, refer to death! What a neat exercise and a fun way to keep that word in the front of your mind.
Yes. This entire one word challenge has been so good.
Rest is a good word to meditate on, Lauren. I haven’t received direction for next month regarding my one word intentional, so I’m going to pray about intentional rest.
Would love to hear more about this if you settle on it!
I think these 40 ideas are great at ANY time of the year! Glad you are working through them, Lauren. I love your list of common phrases. Yes, isn’t it interesting all the death references? I did this with my word RELEASE and it brought up things I hadn’t even thought about too (there were so many references to Release dates, for movies, books, etc.).
I appreciate your challenge to think about areas we aren’t resting in…you’re stepping on my toes. lol. But in a productive way.
Thanks for sharing my toilet paper post. It’s a lesson I’m still trying to learn.
Trust me, I stomped all over my toes before I stepped on yours, Lisa! Thanks for reading along.
“If there is an area of your life in which you feel you cannot rest, I guarantee that you lack trust in God over that same area.” OUCH! Yes, indeed, you hit the nail on the head…on my head! This is truly giving me pondering moments as I go about my days. Thank you for giving me a place to take my life in Christ a bit deeper!
Phrases with your word are really good, Lauren. I shall be doing that one month too. Thanks.
That one stung a bit for me too, Linda.
Lauren,
I’ve been challenged with what rest looks like in my life during the last two years. I manage fibro, which requires a lot more sleep of me than before. As a result, I try to fill every waking moment with productivity, and I still feel as though what God called me to (writing) hasn’t been realized.
Thanks for giving me pause. I need to pray about resting (and trusting) in His plan.
Blessings,
Tammy
Although I don’t have fibro, I can relate to so much of what you are saying here. I am praying for you as I pray for myself in this.
I need to keep reminding myself to rest and to not feel guilty doing so- thank you for the inspiration
Thanks for reading, Holly.
It’s so true, rest and trust are all tied up together! I’ve been on a journey to rest well for a few years now. I’m a slow learner. But I’m pressing on because it is too important to give up.
I laughed at your response, Jerralea. I am an extremely slow learner at times. But I’m pressing on too!
Hmmm — lots of food for thought in this post. I like how you relate the concept of “rest” with the spiritual act of putting “trust” in God. It’s not easy to do, is it?
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 17.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
So hard. That’s why I’ve devoted two years to focusing on it!
I find that in addition to regular Sabbath rest, I need periods of rest (aka vacation). I’m learning to let everything go (no social media upkeep, blogging, or responding) and be in the moment so I can foster better relationships with important people in my life.
So wise. I am working on this as well.
Oh my, there’s so much to think about in your post. I never even realized this many phrases relating to “rest” are also related to death. How sad, really. I really struggle to put my trust in God, so I’m so grateful I came across this reminder in the form of your post. Thank you!
I’m so glad it was helpful. Trust and rest are a work in progress for me for sure!
I’m a little behind with the challenge, but your post makes me want to keep at it.
Just today, I realized how I must rest more.
I am so behind on the challenge, but I keep working at it because I’m finding out so much!
I don’t know how I missed this the first time around. Well done!
Thank you for circling back, Barb!