I clicked alive my phone to see the word Monday on the screen once again. How could it be time to wake up already? I needed rest. I wondered why I felt too tired to function, when I hadn’t done anything to exert myself all weekend long. I dragged myself out of bed, hoping an extra cup of coffee would wash away the fatigue.
I didn’t realize I’d spent so much energy over the weekend thinking about all the things going wrong. As a result, I now started my week completely exhausted.
Our overworked minds can cause us to experience weariness, even if we haven’t been physically active. It has recently been proven that mental fatigue really does lead to physical fatigue. So that feeling of exhaustion at the end of the day when you weren’t doing much? It’s real.
And like me, maybe your brain has been working overtime again.
Ever have one of those days when your brain just will not shut off? And the harder you try to relax, the worse the tension gets? My mind seems stuck in overdrive most days, and I’m always looking for ways to slow it down. The effects of a weary mind can be devastating to my daily life. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us hope-filled truth about God’s design for rest that we can apply to our minds.
God’s Design for Rest
In chapter 33 of Exodus, God commanded Moses to leave Sinai and move His people toward the land He promised to give them. God even said He would drive out enemies before them. But then, He informed Moses he would not be going along, since the people had been rebellious and stubborn.
“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (Exodus 33:3)
Moses didn’t want to go anywhere without God, so he sought the Lord on behalf of the Israelites. Moses prayed, “please show me now your ways.” Moses interceded for the people, and God responded with a promise of His presence and rest.
“And He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
Moses knew that fully understanding God’s ways meant inviting Him into our everyday lives. Studying God’s Word is important. It’s one way we draw near to Him, and we can learn more about God as we do. But there’s nothing quite like the feeling of knowing God is with us. I love how God reassured Moses he would find rest from worry while in God’s presence.
The NLT version puts it this way, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” (Emphasis mine.)
What a comforting promise from the Lord! Moses discovered a valuable truth about God’s character that day, and through this story in Exodus, we can discover it as well.
God’s way is the way of rest.
God doesn’t want His daughters buried under the weight of overwhelming thoughts. He wants us to rest, knowing He is with us. Imagine right now God speaking that same word to us that He spoke to Moses. “Everything will be fine for you. I’m here. You can rest.”
That’s our promise. So the next time we wake up with a weariness that we can’t seem to shake — even with that extra cup of morning coffee — let’s remember the promise. May we understand God’s way of rest and experience it to the fullest.
A Prayer of Rest for Your Mind
Dear Lord,
My mind is weary. Thoughts bombard me all day long, and I can’t seem to find the rest my brain needs. Forgive me for letting problems and daily concerns overwhelm me. I am giving my concerns to you. Thank you for the promise that you are with me, and that you will give me rest. Help me remember to seek your presence when I feel exhausted, and help me to know that your way is the way of rest. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
