Sunday, August 26, 2012

Find Rest for Your Soul by Ann Broughton




Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV).

   Do you need rest? I am not just talking about physical rest, but rest for your soul. Here are some signs that I have noticed when I have felt unrest in my soul: anxiety, insomnia, being irritable, having stomachaches, panic attacks to name a few. When these occur I know that I need to take time to be still, pray, and be quiet. I believe there are many of you reading this who are having problems with a restless soul. It is so easy to get your priorities so messed up that time spent in quiet, alone with God, becomes an issue. In order to have a calm spirit you must take time to pray, quiet your mind, and then be still for at least 15 minutes in your day, preferably 30 minutes. If you do this you will find out that peace and rest for your soul is very real.
   I have gone to bed being so very weary with the problems that surround me in people’s lives that it seems as if I am totally weighed down with the burdens. But then I lie in bed and calm my mind and recite the 23rd Psalm. I concentrate on the Lord being my shepherd and how he is leading me by the still waters. After I recite this I am already feeling calmer. Then I pray and lay my burdens down at Jesus’ feet and ask Him to give me the peace I so desire. When I awake I feel refreshed and am able to greet the day with a smile. I promise you this works.
   God alone can give you the rest you need because your hope comes from him. You must be the one to take the steps to change your restless soul. You must be quiet, pray, and believe that He will restore your soul in ways that nobody else could.
Dear Lord,
Help me to take time each day to quiet my soul and pray to you. I know that my body yearns for peace. Help me to remember to follow Jesus’ example because He always took time in his busy schedule to talk to His Father in Heaven in solitude. Thank you giving me peace in my soul.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

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