What did I do wrong? How can I fix this? If only I’d done it this way instead. Have you ever noticed how thoughts start small, then grow and grow until they totally consume you? Then, it seems nearly impossible to turn them off. They play on repeat in your mind, even when you try to find rest.

What It Means to Rest in God

Nothing zaps my strength like carrying around a burden that was never meant for me. I can begin my day with an inspiring devotion, Scripture reading, and prayer, and still catch myself agonizing over life’s messes a few minutes later. It’s in those moments I need to reaffirm my belief that God is in control of my situation. I do this by asking myself the following questions.

Do I believe God holds me in the palm of His hand?

“He made my words like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow. He took good care of me and kept me safe.” (Isaiah 49:2)

Do I believe God has good intentions for me and my family?

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do I believe God can do a better job of handling this problem than I can?

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Resting in God means trusting in Him. And as we trade thoughts of turmoil with affirmations from God’s word, we will feel joy return and find the rest God gives to those He loves.

Are you feeling your strength zapped? Could it be that you’re carrying around a burden God didn’t intend for you to carry? There is hope today. Spend a few minutes with the verses above and find renewed rest through your dependence on God.

Let’s pray this prayer together as we rediscover rest by depending on God:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe you hold me in the palm of your hand. You are my protector, so I have no need to fear or worry about what this day will bring.

I believe you have good intentions for me and my family. You have always been faithful. Help me remember those times when I couldn’t see a way out, but you provided exactly what I needed. Thank you for your goodness, Lord.

I believe you can do a much better job of handling this problem than I can. I release it to you today, and when I’m tempted to start worrying again, I will renew my trust in you by reading promises from your Word.

Thank you for being my strength, my portion, and my source of peace. Thank you for rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more of God’s promises to guide you in prayer as you trust Him more, join the community here at my online home and get a free digital download, 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart. Enter your email below if you haven’t already subscribed, and I’ll send it to you.

This post is a portion of Kristine’s article, “How to Enjoy Your Dependence on God,” originally published on iBelieve.com.