Message Library

Slowing Down Spiritually

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Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

We can have rest for our souls only if we have the peace that transcends understanding and faith that pleases God. There is one critical factor that can keep us from slowing down, and that is lack of patience. Being impatient can steal the peace, joy, and rest for our souls that Christ wants us to have. What is the key to having the patience necessary to truly enjoy peace, joy, and rest for our souls?

Satan will use fear to steal everything God has for us, but love helps us to overcome this fear. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment (1 John 4:18). The closer we are to the Lord and the longer we walk with Him, the more love we have in our hearts and the less fear.

Love increases as we reflect it to others and faith increases as we serve the Lord; both increase the peace and joy that leads to rest for our souls. I have found two major things that increase rest for my soul and helps me to slow down inside: The first is the faith that pleases God and the second is being the Lord’s servant.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6). This statement begs the question, “What is the faith that pleases God?” (This has been discussed in other Daily Messages because it is incredibly important.) It starts by praying every day for what the Spirit puts on our hearts and thanking the Lord for hearing and answering our prayers. Trusting the Lord to answer prayers His way and in His time is the faith that pleases God. He is God and we are His servants.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom (Isaiah 40:28). By recognizing that we are the Lord’s servants and that He is God and His ways are perfect, we are able to develop patience, slow down, and have rest for our souls. The more we live for eternity, the more physically and spiritually relaxed we can be, even when the world around us is fast-paced. This is a great blessing from God!

Today seek patience, because it will help your soul to relax even though you are busy in the physical world. This is living in the Kingdom (Daily Message – April 20, 2019).

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to slow down in spirit even when facing the stress of tight schedules. Help me to control my flesh through a spiritually-controlled mind, and not to be led by my emotions. Help me to live for eternity with a faith that pleases you, because it will enable me to endure the hardships of life yet still have rest for my soul. In Jesus name, Amen