Sleep doesn’t always give rest. Even traveling a long way away from where we were doesn’t help long because the problems go with us. And listening to others’ advice often just tires us more – especially if they’re as unsettled inside as we are.
There was a storm on a huge lake in the north of Israel. The storm was worse than normal because it was accompanied by an earthquake. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the lake in that storm. The disciples, some of them experienced fishermen, were in panic, but Jesus was asleep. When they woke Him up, He said, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Then Jesus calmed the wind and the sea.
Some storms are physical, but others are internal. The internal ones are probably the worst.
A young man who had lots of money asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). First, Jesus questioned him about saying “Good” since the young man had put his own goodness on the same level as that of Jesus. Then Jesus told him to keep the commandments in the Scriptures. The young man said he’d always done that. Finally, Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. The young man went away sad because he had a lot.
What does that have to do with rest? Do we get rest by selling our possessions and giving everything away? Probably not. Jesus never told anyone else to do that. But this young man who had everything came without inner peace and left without inner peace. He’d told himself a lie that he was good enough, but he couldn’t make himself believe the lie. He knew something wasn’t right. Jesus just told him the point of displacement in his heart.
A prerequisite to rest is peace with ourselves. Being convinced of something we know isn’t true or right produces a storm inside us that prevents rest.
Anger with roots in past hurts also prevents rest. Even if we win, it doesn’t really fix anything.
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you 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).
Sometimes the harder we try to find rest, the tireder we get. The same One who could sleep in the boat in the storm can give us rest like His. Jesus spoke of His yoke. If we’re honest, other options and offers come with a yoke, too. But His is easy, and His burden is light. And His offer works because He keeps His word.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.