How to Find Rest and Turn a "Setback" Into a "Setup"
Hebrews 4:1, Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them [Israel]; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest…
We are living in busy and troubled times. Many things demand our attention and concern. Opportunities for worry and frustration abound. All of this is part of life. However, if we let our tasks, responsibilities, and challenges dominate our minds and energy, we will run down like a car battery and dimming headlights without the engine running.
God promised “rest” to His people. What is this rest? Resting in the Lord is four things: 1) Believing/trusting God, 2) Being a doer of God’s word, 3) Accepting Christ's finished work, and 4) Using the power of another.
As I write this post, I am in the midst of one of the busiest and most fruitful periods of time I can remember. During this time, I also experienced a major setback. What came to my mind was the text, “We who have believed do enter that rest…”
A day of feeling troubled and disturbed gave way to “using the power of another.” This is like deciding to accept a ride in someone’s car rather than walking down the street to the destination far away. Rather than walking in my own strength through the difficulty that confronted me, I chose to accept God’s promise of “entering His rest.” The "setback" became a "setup" for promotion and blessing for myself and others.
At that point, the problem did not disappear, but I gained strength and grace to handle it without distraction or distress. Thank God!
Enter in to God’s Rest! Use the power of Another!
