How to Rest and Not Rush

How to Rest and Not Rush

Rush, rush, rush…

We could be rushing around for the doctor’s appointment, only to wait in the waiting room.
Rushing around getting the kids ready, only to wait on your husband.
We’re rushing around, speeding, only to get stopped at a light.

One summer in college my uncle got me a job working for the state. I worked for the State Treasurer’s office, in the Unclaimed Property department. Not exactly exciting things happening there, but it was a job. They were expecting to be super busy that summer when the advertisement in the paper was supposed to be released. This ad would feature every name who had “unclaimed property.” People could call a number and find out how to claim their property. I was taught how to answer the phones and how to direct people. The first week, I waited around…supposedly the phones would begin ringing off the hook any day now. Three weeks in and the paper still hadn’t been published yet. Every joke about “government jobs” could be true about my nine weeks working there.

How to Rest and Not Rush

Slow people.
Noisy people.
Bossy people.
Obsessed with her stapler lady. (Oh yes, she worked there.)

First, I made copies. I played Bejewled. Next, I filed a few papers. I would sit. Then, I became so bored I even would go downstairs to the side door and stand with the smokers. Yes, me, who never smoked anything in her life and had allergies and possibly asthma would suffer through the haze just to get out of the office. Any paperwork I would get to do, I tackled it like it was due by noon. Most of the work I did, I was finished before two o’clock. I didn’t leave until five.

One day, after giving me a pile of paperwork to copy/file, the “boss” told me: “Stop hurrying around. You might want to take all day to do this because this is all you have to do.” It was torture.

Slowing down is NOT in my personality! For instance, when I have a to-do list, I always rush around getting everything done. I NEVER take my time doing anything – just ask my mother! She was always getting on to me about rushing and not doing my best in school.

“Slowing down is NOT in my personality.”

When I first stayed at home, I would do ALL of my laundry in one day. Then I would sweep, mop, straighten up, and basically do all of my chores as well. I would work and work…only to find out, I would be home again tomorrow. There was no need to be urgent. No need to do it all in one day….

A lot of my rushing around has to do with control. Moreover, I feel like I can control things if I do them fast. And controlling things is definitely something I am working on. I even created this list of Psalms to read to help me fall asleep.

When I rush, I miss out…
…on the sweet smiles.
… gentle hugs.
…on the sticky kisses.
…the silly antics.
…on warm coffee.

When I rush, I miss out on enjoying the little moments.

There is no need to rush. In addition, there’s a difference between being “efficient” and “urgent.” Efficiency implies a sense of planning that makes sure the job is done. Urgency implies a frantic pace that is almost panicked and anxiety-filled.

Feeling urgency to the point of anxiety can be a symptom of not trusting and resting in God’s timing. We KNOW that God’s timing is perfect, but do we trust it? Do we rest in that? Urgency can be a sign of our lack of trust.

Isaiah 30:15 says: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” – God was telling Israel that the answer to their troubles was found in resting and confidence in God. Instead, they decided to trust in “horses” – or themselves. They fled, rushed away in fear! “Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you…He will be exalted.”

Maybe this doesn’t mean God is just waiting around to bless you. Maybe God is waiting for the perfect time to bless you. God wants to give you grace and mercy. He wants to take away your pain. But He also wants to bring Himself glory.

“Maybe this doesn’t mean God is just waiting around to bless you. Maybe God is waiting for the perfect time to bless you.”

God works in His own timing. Whether it is a rescue mission or a blessing….God waits for the perfect time. He will give grace and mercy when it gives Him the most glory. He will rescue us from trials when it gives Him the most glory. We can only rest and trust.

SO, as we wait, how can we do this? How Not to Rush Through Life? Let’s pray this: 

Lord, let me rest in You. Let my heart be confident and quiet – knowing You are in control. Let me find strength in returning to You and resting, trusting You. Amen.”

As you rush around your day…..do not let yourself be urgent. There is no need to be urgent. So let’s rest and not rush. Download this FREE PDF with Psalms to Help You Fall Asleep.
Rest.
Trust.
Believe. 

Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer