Learning to Rest in Him

(Post for Tuesday, 4/14)

Philippians 4:8-9  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

This week has been one of the most stressful I've had all semester with close to little or no sleep, and it's taken a toll on my physical, mental, and spiritual life. Operating with little sleep has made me feel so weak and tired, impatient with everyone, and hopeless about the next few days. Because I stopped operating on my normal sleeping schedule a few days ago, I have felt like I have had to "cram" in spending time with God or doing it while doing something else (i.e. eating or listening to praise music while running to/from the train) without truly stopping and taking a moment to rest in and rely on God to provide me with the strength I desire and need. 

Philippians 4:8-9 thus reminds me to dwell on the things that the Lord has shown and given to me with a heart of thankfulness so that the God of peace will be with me. Yesterday, in the midst of all my stress and busyness, I ran into another sister at the student campus center and caught up with her on how things have been with me and the different ways in which God has been using me and speaking to me. As I was sharing these things, I was so fully reminded of God's faithfulness and was so strengthened and filled with peace, even physically, upon thinking of my God who has been with me every step of the way and will continue to be with me and fight every single battle of mine with me. 

Recently, I've also been challenged to think of how I can glorify God more in my every life even when I'm not doing devotions, at church, in family group, or something church related. How can I praise and glorify God through my work, my schoolwork, my every day conversations with the majority of my friends who are nonbelievers, and even conversations with my other family and friends? These verses remind me to practice everything God has shown me and taught me in these everyday walks of life so that I will be stronger in Him because I can truly rest in knowing that He is good, that He is sovereign, and that He has every best interest for me that will ultimately glorify Him and also make me stronger in my relationship with Him. 

So today as I continue on with my assignments and press on even with a severe lack of sleep, I praise God that He makes all things new every day and that I will be reminded of God's goodness so that any feelings of bitterness, hopelessness, fatigue, and complaint will be replaced with ultimate peace and joy from the Lord.