In the ’70s, there was a successful advertising campaign by McDonalds that stated “You deserve a break today, so get up and get away”. The audience targeted was the hardworking mom who still had to make dinner after a long day of child (and husband) care, or was coming home from work. Forty years ago, life was quite hectic, and the possibility of a quick trip to the local fast food emporium for supper was a grand enticement. Anything to escape the pressure and experience a few moments of rest.
Fast forward four decades with me and look around you. Life is busier than ever, and everyone needs a break, but few are able to take one. We have become so consumed by work, family, and civic responsibilities that there is no down time. There are those whose minds are so overwhelmed by all the demands on them that they become unstable. Unable to rest and take time for themselves, they lose the power of peace, and fall into anxiety and depression.
PEACE AND REST
This is not God’s plan. He original instructions called for humans to rest one day out of seven. Even the Creator took a day off after six days of labor. We should follow His example, and realize that He gives us peace and rest EVERY day of the week if we know how to acquire it. Isaiah 26:3 tells us “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” We can have peace and rest each day of our lives when we focus our attention on God and His Word. When we take our attention off the pressure of our circumstances and focus on the Word, peace will flow from our spirit into our minds and bodies. Perfect peace is available to anyone who trusts God and does what He says.
GOD IS FOR US
I have discovered that a few moments of speaking the Word will arrest the thought process of my mind, changing my perception of the circumstances I am dealing with. As the scripture says “…If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Rom 8:31b) When we turn our thoughts to the realization we are on His side, then we know we are winners, for He cannot be defeated. Are you feeling stressed? You deserve a break today, so get up and get away-to the Word!
