I’m a woman of faith who wrestles with doubts. Not doubts about whether God exists or if He’s good. My doubts are more about whether I’ll miss His will or if I’ll like His will for my life. These concerns sabotage my ability to rest in God.

Photo by: Robert Linsdell

Strong’s concordance defines rest: “a putting to rest, calming of the winds.” [1] Doubts and fears blow through our minds and cloud our view of God and life. They shake the foundation of our faith. Some winds chill us. Hurricane winds have the power to destroy. How do we calm these gales? Hebrews chapter four shows us how.

Since most of the Bible tells us to “fear not,” when it says “fear,” we need to listen. “Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard,” (Hebrews 4:1-2, NASB).

We are to fear missing God’s rest. Unrest is not just unpleasant. It’s destructive. But the Scripture doesn’t just warn us; it shows us how to rest. Good news + faith = rest. If we remove either “good news” or “faith,” there is no rest.

That means that when I’m disturbed, I lack either faith or good news. I either don’t know or have forgotten God’s good news about my area of unrest. Or I haven’t believed the good news applies to my concern.

Faith must go beyond simply believing God exists. “… he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” (Hebrews 11:6, NASB).

Hebrews 4:10 says striving is the opposite of faith. ^“For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”

That doesn’t mean we do nothing. Jesus put it this way, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent,” (Jn. 6:29, NASB). The work we are called to is faith. To rest, we believe Jesus.

What wind is blowing through your life? When you feel its chill, remember the work of rest is faith. Ask God what He’s said about what’s disturbing you. Write it down. Chew on it. Add your faith to His good news.

As we unite our faith with God’s good news, we’ll find rest for our souls. Good news plus faith equals rest!

I enjoyed hearing from you last week and prayed for each one who sent me a request. If I can pray for you this week, please let me know.

Learn more on how to enjoy God’s rest in ten essential areas through my interactive study, Give Yourself a Break.

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Blessings,

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