Without rest we are bound. We are prone to worry, anxiety, and fear. Our anger, bitterness and resentment will get the better of us.
Rest allows us space to be. Inner space is freedom to perceive a thing as God sees it. Rest is a prelude to focus. Focus is the forerunner of faith.
When we have no personal discipline of rest and peace, we are seriously behind in terms of our development. Rest allows us to see into the spirit. It creates an expectancy in our hearts and empowers our intimacy.
We must labor to enter into rest(Hebrews 4: 11)- we work at resting. We push away anything that would cause worry, anxiety, fear. We do not speculate negatively but we believe the best of the father. Rest requires a foundation of rejoicing and giving thanks.
You are at rest, now, in Jesus. Abide in him. Stay at rest. We do not work hard to acquire rest; it is freely given. We work to remain in it.
What does your rest and peace look like? When was the last time you upgraded it? How strong is the partnership between rest and rejoicing in your life?