How have you been able to find refreshing rest? What are some tricks of your own success?

First and foremost there must be a recognition that it is “not about us.”

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Whatever we accomplish is of the Son of God. The benefit we extend to others is also the work of God. I think if we wear ourselves out with busy-ness – then we must be thinking that it’s “all about us” after all.

Secondly, there must also be a wise recognition of the need for actual physical and mental rest in order for us to do the most good for others. Rest was not man’s invention, it was ordained by God from the beginning (Gen. 2:1-3). Jesus told the disciples to come apart and rest awhile before they come apart at the seams! (Mark 6:31).

We must care for ourselves in order to care for others. Every time we travel by air we are reminded of this reality when we are advised to “put on your own oxygen mask first, before assisting others.” I must grasp the reality that not only does my life depend on getting rest, but actually it is good for those I’m helping.

Nancy makes a good point. If I think that the advance of the Kingdom of God depends upon my frantic efforts, then I will destroy myself to make sure that God gets all of my help. Ah the refreshing peace that comes from seeing that the lives of His people are all in His mighty hands. Mine is too, so if He needs me to let go, and back off, and back out – for my good (and for their good) then I will step back and lay my head on His bosom.