Meet my friend, Rochelle Bauer.

She’s blogger, writer, and communicator. She’s a wife to Daniel and a stay-at-home mom to Isaiah (16) and Dominic (9 ½) in northwestern Minnesota, where the summers are short but sweet and the winters are long and cozy.

Her passions include reading, writing, and music, along with running around to her boys’ activities. She has a longing to share her deep-rooted faith in Jesus with others.

She shares how sleep became her escape, and how she found real rest.

~ Suzie

 

I loooove sleep.

I long for it. I crave it. I will do just about anything for it and I’ve always been that way. I’ll jump at any chance for sleep.

I discovered sleep is one of my biggest escapes from life. When I can sleep, I don’t have to think, feel or act.

I don’t have to make decisions or face life’s difficulties. It all goes away and I get a reprieve.

But lately, sleep hasn’t been the same for me. It doesn’t accomplish what it used to. I’ll still sleep whenever I can, but something has changed. I sleep . . .  but now I rarely feel rested.

What used to be my escape, no longer works. I wake up feeling even more burdened than before and I’ve learned why.

Sleep can only give me the physical rest my body needs. I need to seek God to receive the proper rest my soul needs.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NIV)

I’m in a challenging season of life right now. There have been major losses, constant stressors, and life changing events with even more on the horizon. Sometimes I can’t breathe because of the overwhelming circumstances and my “escape” (sleep) isn’t helping anymore.

Because I need Jesus.

I need His easy yoke and His light burden.

I need His comfort, peace, and strength.

I need to trade in my sorrows for His joy.

Amongst all of that, right now I need rest. The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual rest that can only come through Him.

When I turn to Him, rather than my mere attempts for rejuvenation, my weary soul is renewed.

The burdens impressed on my heart are lifted. My vision is clearer, my intentions are purer and I am truly a better person, because He has provided me with all that I need.

[bctt tweet=”When we seek to rest spiritually, we find rest that is deeper than the physical. We all need that. https://wp.me/p4jbdw-41J #livingfreetogether ” username=”suzanneeller”]

He shows me how to be like Him.

It’s gentle and humble in heart. When I’m rested, I can receive instruction; that gift He so freely wants to give each of us.

When I let Him have control over my circumstances, I can rest in His plan for me.

When I allow Him into the depths of my heart, I can rest knowing He sees it all and still loves me.

 

 

When I confess and turn from my sin, I can rest in His forgiveness.

Rest is a loaded word with so many meanings for me right now and they all involve Jesus. Trying to do it on my own just plain tires me out. I can finally see through the fog enough to know I need more Jesus.

[bctt tweet=”Rest is a loaded word with so many meanings. For me, right now, they all involve Jesus. @rochellecbauer https://wp.me/p4jbdw-41J” username=”suzanneeller”]

I don’t know where you are in life right now. Maybe you’re stuck in a valley or maybe you’ve just reached the mountaintop. You might have an escape, like me.

Wherever you are, I pray you will look to Jesus to fulfill your needs. His ways are always higher…His plans are always greater…and His rest is always better.

Rochelle

Meet Rochelle. You are going to love her!

She’s a blogger! Connect with Rochelle Bauer at https://www.rochellebauer.com/

Follow her on Twitter! 

Today’s Giveaway is a gorgeous necklace.

With this around your neck, you’ll always be reminded where to find rest. Thank you, Rochelle, for this giveaway.

To enter, just join the conversation on today’s post. Share your story. Encourage someone. Tell one way that you find spiritual rest. We love it when you join in, and treasure what you have to say. ~ Suzie