Finding Rest For Our Souls

Rest. 

"And ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Ahhh.....

Physical rest is a blessing at the end of a maddening day. To be able to prop my feet up, kick back, and relax with a book is heaven on earth. Especially when I've been knee-deep in stinky diapers, puzzle pieces, and baskets of laundry to be folded (I love washing the clothes but hate folding and putting them away). 

But spiritual rest--the rest that comes only through the blood of the Lamb--is perfect bliss. It's comfort in knowing that I don't have to do it all. That the dishes can sit in the sink a little while longer while I pray. That I don't have to fret about the potential buyers coming to look at our house, worrying that they'll see the marker on the walls or the poop stains on the carpet (yep, sad but true) because none of it matters.

Rest for our souls is perfect peace, and when we lay our burdens on Jesus, He promises:

"And ye shall find rest unto your souls."

How do you view REST?

Joining Lisa-Jo @ 5 Minute Fridays. Hope you'll join us!

How to Pursue Peace this Christmas: 10 Ideas

 As we continue in our series "In Pursuit of Peace," Christmas is only three weeks away. I admit that I have already given in to frustration, anxiety, and stress, and the month is still young! 

There's so much to do at Christmas time, in addition to all the everyday chores, that it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters this time of year.

Christmas can easily become a time of stress and misery if we let it. That's why we must make a proactive choice to pursue peace.

Photo Credit: Milele

 

10 Ways to Pursue Peace this Christmas

1. Pray, pray, pray. 

The first step we should take any time we undertake a new task is to pray. Whatever we ask, Jesus promises to do, but, first, we need to humble ourselves before Him. Start the pursuit of peace by taking our requests to the Lord. 

"If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."

John 14:14 

2. Make amends. 

If you've had a squabble or disagreement with a family member, co-worker, or friend, work towards a resolution. There is no better time to forgive and forget than the holidays when love is truly in the air. 

Christmas is also the perfect time to share the Gospel. Songs of baby Jesus filling the air can provide the perfect segue into a discussion of salvation with the spiritually lost.

"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall..."

Ephesians 2:14

Photo Credit: Creativity103

 

3. Just say "No!" 

The holidays can pull us in a hundred different directions if we let them. We need to go shopping, visit family, attend countless parties and events, set up the tree, wrap gifts, and on and on. Unless we want to end up a stressed out, frustrated Humbug, we simply need to invoke that two-letter word. 

Determine top priorities this Christmas. Mark special events on the calendar. Plan for all the holiday cooking, baking, entertaining, gifts, and all the expenses associated with each. When a new event springs up, consider the cost--whether in time, money, or both--and, if necessary, very politely say, "Thanks, but no thanks." People will understand. 

"For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors."

Ecclesiastes 7:12 

4. Keep gift-giving simple.

Picking out gifts is my biggest stressor at Christmastime. I really want to find something personal and thoughtful, but often times I totally miss the boat. This year I'm trying to reduce my stress by (1) shopping online and (2) only selecting 1 or 2 meaningful presents instead of 4 or 5 like I have in the past. 

One thing we're using this year (and that I wish everyone in our family would create) is Amazon Wishlist in hopes that family members will purchase gifts based on our personal needs and wants. The wishlist makes it easier for people to find and buy just the right gift. It's simple!  

Tauna of Proverbial Homemaker has a great post on simplifying Christmas by limiting the number of gifts and buying only what is practical and of good quality.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..."

Hebrews 13:5

5. Do random acts of kindness.

To have a heart filled with peace, we need to reach out to others and lend a hand where we can. When we find opportunities to serve--whether strangers or friends and family--we show Christ living in our hearts. And we find peace.

Some ideas might be to... 

• Reach out to a new mom by bringing her a warm meal
• Leave an extra tip for your waitress
• Send a card to a widow letting her know she's in your prayers
• Drop off a plate of cookies at your neighbor's house just because

I love Lil Light O' Mine's list of "100 ways to light up your community with kindness."

There doesn't have to be a reason to be kind to others. We just need to take the initiative. 

"Be kind and compassionate to one another..."

Ephesians 4:32   

Photo Credit: Oatsy40

 

6.  Stick to the budget.

As I mentioned in #2 & 3, one important key to peace within the home is living within your means. For most people, that means having a budget. 

Knowing how much you intend to spend on gifts, groceries, and other holiday-related items is only part of the equation. We have to actually stick to the budget for it to work. When we overspend, we feel anxiety and stress, certainly not peace.

"The rich rules over the poor, 
And the borrower becomes the lender's slave."
  
Proverbs 22:7

7. Let it go! 

Sometimes we need to put our pride on hold in order to keep the peace. If mom or mother-in-law wants to buy oodles of toys for the kids, don't get irate even if she goes overboard. Just let her. Consider her joy as she watches her grandbabies open up her fun gifts.

For one day, let others do what makes them happy, even if it makes us cringe inside. We can always take back the toys. Christmas only comes one time a year. 

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:3-4

8. Lower our expectations.

Okay, usually we want to have high expectations, right? But for the type-A woman, sometimes aiming lower is better. For everyone.    

Christmas time isn't about having the schmaltziest decorations or the fanciest hors d'oeuvres. We perfectionists need to stop looking at Pinterest or reading Martha Stewart Living and give ourselves a break. 

We want to enjoy the holidays, right? Well, that may mean not putting up the fifth Christmas tree or baking seven different types of cookies. We need to revisit our goals for the holidays and focus on achieving those--for everyone's peace of mind.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

9. Remember the real reason for the season.

If our priorities have veered a little off course, we need to redirect our focus by reading Luke 2. Even with the best of intentions, with all the talk of Santa Claus and finding the perfect gifts, we can easily lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.  

Here are four activities to keep our minds and hearts on Christ this season.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Colossians 3:2 

Photo Credit: Dinner Series

10. Have some egg nog & relax.

Many women have a hard time sitting back and relaxing when there's work to be done: I know, I come from a long line of Martha's. But our memories will either be of all the stress and headache the holidays gave us or the fun, good times, and laughter we enjoyed. Find a way to step back from all the hustle and bustle, sit down with some egg nog, and enjoy being with family.

"...for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His."

 Hebrews 4:10

How do you plan to find & pursue peace this Christmas? What would you add to my list?

I'm praying God's peace for you & your family this Christmas,
  
 

Other posts in our series on Pursuing peace:
Pursuing Peace Week 4: 10 Ways to Live at Peace with Others
Pursuing Peace Week 3: 5 Tips for a More Peaceful Holiday Shopping Experience
Pursuing Peace Week 2: Submitting Our To-Do Lists to the Lord
Pursuing Peace: A Series to Help Us Enjoy the Holiday Season
Pursuing Peace Week 1: What is Peace?

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Monday Mom Musings, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Artful Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Top 10 Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows 

Pursuing Peace Week 4: 10 Ways to Live at Peace with Others

As we enter the 4th week in our series on Pursuing Peace, I realize December is fast upon us. My calendar is filling up fast with all the Christmas programs, parties, and get-togethers. Peace is hard to imagine in the midst of SO MUCH going on. 

And yet, as I read God's Word and examine what He has to say about "peace," I am convicted by the number of times He tells us to live in peace.

"...Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

2 Corinthians 13:11 (emphasis mine)

So, how do we do this?

1. Forgive. In Matthew 6:15, Jesus tells us that if we don't forgive, God will not forgive us. We are all sinners in need of God's love and mercy. We must forgive those who wrong us in order to restore peace in our relationship. Even if that person hurt us deeply, we are still called to forgive. We may not be able to forget and we may need to use extra caution around that person in the future, but in order to live at peace, forgiveness is essential.

2. Forget. If possible, let it go. Don't dwell on the harmful words spoken or actions taken against you. When we "sow in peace," we "raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18). That is, when we live in peace with others, we create a climate where righteousness can thrive. Stop mulling over the past and move on in hopeful expectation of a better, more peaceful future.

3. Respect those in authority. No matter how much we disagree with our spouses, our spiritual leaders, or government officials, they have been appointed to their positions by God, and we must respect them and submit to their authority. We will only have peace in our lives when we accept the hierarchical order God created and not rail against it. 

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in high regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (emphasis mine)

When read in context, this passage refers to our relationship with church leaders, namely elders and deacons. Part of being a peacemaker means submission to those in authority over us. My job, then, is to submit so that peace prevails, whether in the church, in my family, or in the world at large.

4. Stop talking & listen. We all have our own opinions. Instead of pushing ours on everyone else, stop and listen. Respect others' opinions even if they don't make sense or you don't agree. 

"...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

James 1:19-20 

5. Learn to compromise. Some people absolutely refuse to compromise: "It's my way or the highway." There's a reluctance to give up power or control; yet, giving in and letting others have their way at times helps create a peaceful atmosphere. That being said, you should never compromise your integrity or commitment to God to keep the peace!

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

Proverbs 17:1 

6. Get over ourselves. Stop dwelling on all the ways so-and-so has offended us and move on. When we think we deserve more or to be treated better, we make ourselves gods and push God down below our level. Sometimes we need to just get over ourselves.

"...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Romans 12:3

7. Extend grace. Just as God has mercifully shown me grace that I don't deserve, I can do the same by overlooking minor flaws and giving others the benefit of the doubt.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful..."

Luke 6:36   

8. Practice the Golden Rule. To live at peace with others, treat them as you want them to treat you. It's really that simple.

"So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 7:12 

9. Avoid argumentative people. Sometimes we may try to live at peace with people who won't accept our kindness. Sometimes peace will not come about because the other person isn't willing to accept or work toward it. Peace takes 2 willing people.

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Romans 12:18 (emphasis mine) 

By nature I am a people-pleaser. I aim to make and keep the peace because I dislike confrontations and conflict. But I have learned over the years that some people do not want peace. Instead, they delight in argument. No amount of work on my part will ever create peace between us if that person is unwilling to make the effort. My advice: Stay away from these people.

10. Stay in constant communion with God. That means being in the Word and praying to God regularly. You have probably heard the expression: 

"No God, no peace. Know God, know peace." 

When we truly know Him by spending time in the Bible and in prayer, we will be at peace with ourselves and with others.

What about you? How do you strive to live at peace with others?

Praying God's richest blessings of peace for you,
 

Other posts in our series on Pursuing peace:
Pursuing Peace Week 3: 5 Tips for a More Peaceful Holiday Shopping Experience
Pursuing Peace Week 2: Submitting Our To-Do Lists to the Lord
Pursuing Peace: A Series to Help Us Enjoy the Holiday Season
Pursuing Peace Week 1: What is Peace?

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Monday Mom Musings, Raising Arrows, Time-Warp Wife, Artful Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Top 10 Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows