SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS (3)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST” – Matthew 11: 28

God is desirous that His children experience and enjoy enhanced SPIRITUAL HEALTH and WELLNESS: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST” (Mt.11:28). Here, the Lord invites every humble and willing soul to enter into Realms of REST that improve and boost Spiritual Health and Wellness. John describes this as “prosperity of the soul”: “Beloved, I pray that you may PROSPER in ALL THINGS and be in HEALTH, just as your SOUL PROSPERS” (3 Jh.2). Although, this unique state of Rest – also called Shalom – is a gift from God, personal intentionality is involved: “Come to Me…” (Mt.11:28).

Shalom is important for the total being – spirit, soul, and body. Our bodies are in need of rest: “I will both lie down in PEACE, and SLEEP; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psa.4:8). This verse reminds us that peace, sleep, and safety come from God, and we can trust Him to watch over us as we rest. However, when we’re deprived of sleep, it’s not only our mood that suffers, the body suffers too. Getting enough rest is critical for keeping our body healthy and functioning optimally. Prioritizing physical rest may require some intentional changes in lifestyle such as: setting aside time for an afternoon nap; going to bed earlier at night. Whatever changes we make, we must remember that Rest is a gift from God, and one that He wants us to fully enjoy.

Rest for the Mind or Peace of Mind, is another key component of Shalom: “Your will keep him in PERFECT PEACE whose MIND is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa.26:3). Rest is essential for mental health and emotional well-being. When we’re well-rested, we’re better able to concentrate, make safer decisions, and lessen stress. Lack of mental rest and relaxation, on the other hand, can result in irritability, difficulty concentrating, and in severe cases, depression. Making time for rest and relaxation might require: setting aside time for a hobby and taking a break from social media or other stressors that drain our mental energy.

Rest for the Soul is what augments Soul Prosperity and enhances Spiritual Health and Wellness. This is the Gift that our Lord Jesus highlighted the importance of receiving (vv.28-30). His words remind us that we don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Rather, we should come to the Shepherd of our souls for rest and refreshment: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He RESTORES my SOUL…” (Psa.23: 1-3a). When we’re too busy and stressed to rest, we can become disconnected from God and lose sight of what’s truly important. Prioritizing rest and refreshing helps us to pace life, connect with God, and cultivate a deeper sense of His Peace and Presence.

Rest is not just a physical act, but a spiritual realm and asset to be accessed: “There remains therefore a REST for the people of God. For he who has entered HIS REST has himself also ceased from his world as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to ENTER that REST…” (Heb.4: 9-11a). When we enter into God’s Rest, we find freedom from stress, and draw closer to Him. Prioritizing Rest for our souls might demand: Setting aside time daily for devotions of worship, praise, prayer and Bible meditation; taking a spiritual retreat; or attending a worship service. Whatever form it takes, Rest is essential for Spiritual Health and Wellness.

Rest is a gift of God that we're menat to enjoy. Whether we’re resting the body, mind, or soul, the intentional act of rest is essential for Spiritual Health and Wellness. God is watching over us as we rest, ensuring that we experience His Shalom – Peace, relaxation, and refreshment that comes from a life of restfulness – connected with Him in deeper and highly rewarding ways.