Finding rest in God even in the chaos of life can feel like an impossibility. Especially if you are in a situation that requires full attention. It isn’t impossible though.
Table of Contents
This isn’t the first time I am writing about taking a break or finding rest in God. It likely won’t be the last because this is something that, oddly, takes practice.
I remember when I was a young equestrian, learning how to ride horses.
It’s no simple thing to control a 1000lb animal who has a mind of it’s own, especially when doing something faster than a walk.
I had an instructor that told us if we ever started to feel overwhelmed during a lesson that we should simply bring our horse to the centre of the arena and stop for a minute to regroup. This was one of the best pieces of advice I received and continued to use it in just about every overwhelming situation I found myself in.
Overcoming fear takes practice. I got very good at it, learning how to manage my emotions so outwardly I appeared calm and in control. I got to the place where I could do it without slowing down. I trained my mind to focus on what had to be done and block out any other stimulation or fear.
This was an important skill when I became a teacher and had to think on my feet and deal with various situations of student disruptions or incidents.
The only issue with this is you end up feeling exhausted and overstimulated afterwards. I would need time alone to rest or have a break as a way to recover. In my young adult years I was able to do this, without a busy home life I could retreat to a quiet space at home and refuel.
Unfortunately, after having kids, I no longer had this luxury and my ability to manage the chaos no longer worked.
Finding rest in God means seeking Him in the moment. He will answer you, He will deliver you!
Refuelling in the Chaos
I learned that I needed a new way to refuel, and it had to happen on the go. It wasn’t like in my riding lesson days where I could stop my horse in the midst of the chaos and take a breath to regroup.
My kids weren’t going to stop screaming and let me think for a minute. Supper was going to boil over, the to-do list was going to continue to run through my head and I wasn’t going to be able to pause any of it, nor was I going to be able to recover from it later.
What I needed was rest, a break from the noise but it needed to happen while the noise was going on.
What I needed was to find rest in God.
Finding Rest in God
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
As I grasped at something, anything to master my chaotic situation, I clung to God. I sought Him, trying to understand why I couldn’t handle everything.
What I realized was I was trying to handle everything! Instead of seeking God during the situation itself, I was only seeking Him afterwards. Just as I had always done, I tried to find rest later on but what I needed was God’s rest during the situation.
Finding rest in God doesn’t always mean you are actively resting. You may not be laying down and sleeping, or sitting on the couch with a cup of tea.
Finding rest in God means you are handing the situation to Him and relying on His strength to manage it. Finding rest in God means being fuelled during the chaotic moment so you are able to walk through the fire and not be burned.
This is what God wants, this is one of the purposes of His Holy Spirit to be with you always, filling and restoring you. When we seek His strength continuously, when we plug ourselves into his goodness and grace we grow in faith and wisdom. This is what allows us to conquer everything that comes our way!
How to Find Rest in God
So how do I find rest in God in those crushing chaotic moments?
Be Strengthened By God’s Word
Seek God in the morning before your children get up. Even if it’s just a Psalm a day, get those Bible verses pumping through your veins, repeat them over and over and over to yourself so you can be strengthened by God’s word.
Use Strategies to Manage Emotions
Whether it’s your motherhood meltdowns or the defiant behaviour of your children, there are plenty of strategies that can help you in tough situations. God doesn’t expect you to know what to do all the time. Motherhood is a job with no training but there are places to get help and learn how to tackle situations so you can be successful!
Check out my blog post Motherhood Meltdowns (and how to avoid them) and get the free resource there to help you manage mom burnout.
And if you have children going through a tough patch, read my post Scripture Verses for Defiant Behaviour to guide your tongue when dealing with kids who are negotiating or struggling to listen.
Don’t Let Anxiety Take Over
I struggle with rest because I feel if I am resting I am not getting things done and I feel anxious about that. I start to worry I am not good enough, I am letting my family down or people will think I am lazy. And yes, I need to throw those thoughts out the window because an anxious mom is not a healthy mom.
Check out one of my favourite blog posts about being an Anxious Mom and verses to manage it!
Listen to Worship Music
Music has a wonderful way of calming us when we are struggling. And good Christian songs have scriptures woven through them. I find it also helps calm my children when we have music playing in the background. So get your favourite playlist going and let the music wash over your weary soul.
Rest in the Chaos
God is the peace in the chaos. In the moment you may feel like you are losing control but if you remember the one who is in control is just a prayer away and wants to take the reins, then you will master every situation.
Inhale yah. Exhale weh. Repeat.
You may not be riding a horse or performing dangerous equestrian movements but what you are doing matters. The home you are building, the family you are raising, this work is perhaps the most important thing you will do.
Finding rest in God is to seek Him and be strengthened by His presence always. Be restored, renewed and strengthened by Him as you head into your day!
Leave a Reply