This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬

“Get some rest”, the doctor told me, “The best thing you can do for your healing is to get good rest.“

Resting is much easier said than done. It’s difficult to rest when everyone around you is busy doing things. Especially those things that you used to do. Even though you know the best thing you can do is to rest, your mind tells you the worst thing you can do is rest. It’s a horrible dichotomy.

Maybe you’ve seen that too. Resting isn’t the same as sleeping. Sometimes you wake up in the morning and you don’t feel rested. Oh, you slept, but you didn’t rest. Even if you’re sleeping, your mind wouldn’t quit. It seemed like you were constantly reminded of the bills that weren’t getting paid, the relationships that were strained, the guilt and shame you feel for your past or the workplace struggles you need to address in the morning.

Resting is essential for healing. Your body needs time to regroup. Your body needs time to do what it is created to do naturally. To heal.

What’s true in the physical realm, is true in our spiritual/emotional lives as well. God speaks through Isaiah to tell us that our strength does not come from our activity. Our healing doesn’t come from the work that we do. Our healing and strength comes from quietness and confidence.

The psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Our confidence doesn’t come from anything we can do. Our confidence comes from knowing that God has everything in control.

True rest leads to healing, healing comes when we have confidence in the promises that God has given us. Promises of forgiveness. Promises of safety. Promises of grace.

Do you need some rest today? Not just physical rest, but spiritual or emotional rest? Ask the Holy Spirit now, to help you to have confidence in the strength God gives you. He is the source of all healing and all rest.