Cease striving and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
What symptoms do you experience when you are “striving?” At times, I feel anxious, unsettled, lack of peace, burdened instead of joyful. Even when I am doing what I know for sure it’s what God has called me to do! For many years I have been leading weekly Bible studies and writing my own lessons. And more recently I have been writing weekly devotional messages to post on my website. When there is a deadline coming up, I can begin to feel anxious if I haven’t completed the writing. There are times when I feel like I am not doing enough, or there’s more I could (or should) be doing.
Feeling anxious or burdened is evidence that I am not fully trusting God to provide what I need to accomplish what He has asked me to do. I am trying to figure things out on my own, trying to make something happen without depending completely on Him. When these anxious feelings arise, I need to remind myself of God’s personal invitation:
Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened (heavy-laden) and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Notice the word “rest” is used twice in this verse!)
Rest is what God desires for us to experience, even in the midst of the work He has designed and equipped us for. I want to joyfully accept His invitation!
What is the connection between “being still” and “knowing that He is God” in Psalm 46:10? The Greek word “cease striving” or “be still” means to relax; to become limp; to leave alone. The Greek word for “know” means to learn; perceive; discern; experience; know relationally and experientially. It is the same Greek word used in Psalm 139:4 describing how God knows us: “You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You are intimately acquainted with all my ways, even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.”
The Lord sees our hearts. He sees when we are doing “good things” with the wrong attitude. I often am reminded of Jesus’ words to Martha in Luke 10:38-42. She was complaining that Mary was just sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him and not helping with all the preparations of a meal for Jesus and His disciples. The Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
What do we know about God that we can trust to give us “rest” instead of our “striving?”
Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Jeremiah 29:11 He knows the plans He has for me.
Hebrews 13:5 He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible for God.
Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
When I am feeling anxious or burdened, I need to stop and ask God for a change of heart. I need to respond to His call to “Come to Him and find rest for my soul.” Instead of striving, He calls us to abide in Him and rest — trusting, listening, surrendering, waiting patiently, depending on Him completely for what He wants to accomplish in us and through us.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
What circumstances in your life cause you to feel anxious, unsettled, lack of peace, or burdened?
Which of these Scriptures speaks to your heart to restore your rest in the midst of the circumstances?
So often in the Psalms we are reminded to cry out to God with our needs. His Word assures us that He hears our cry, and He answers us.
Consider writing a prayer to God expressing your feelings and your response to Him.
Your post takes me back to when I was a missionary wife. I definitely felt all the anxiety you describe. I needed a mentor to help me sort out what was important and what wasn’t. I couldn’t figure out how to rest in the Lord. I asked a couple of older women to mentor me, but they declined. To this day I still wonder how I could have done better. That is past, and I need to be available for someone else who is struggling, just to walk through it with them.