Did you read the headlines this morning or listen to the news as you started your day? The world we live in can seem chaotic and confusing. We have the technology to fabricate a false narrative and create fake news that appears authentic on multiple social media platforms. After checking several sources, statistically, the crime rate is decreasing. Still, the access to reporting crime has increased, and because of global reporting, we see volumes of graphic murders that headline the news that is horrific and can traumatize the soul. It seems everywhere we turn; we hear about wars, earthquakes, floods, and fires in our world. The possibility of a long-lasting global pandemic threatens our economic conditions and psychological wellbeing. God knew that chaos would increase on the earth. According to Matthew 24:6-8, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Yet, my beloved, our souls can find rest.
The seat of our human personality is the soul and includes the mind, will, emotions, and intellect. It is our control center for decision and sense-making. When we allow the chaos around us to overwhelm us, we may not make the best decisions possible. We need to find rest for our souls so we can see clearly and process life circumstances efficiently and effectively as we go about our daily routine. So how do we find rest for our souls amid the chaos?
A favorite Bible passage often repeated in churches for various functions is the 23rd Psalm. It begins with a call to rest as we follow the Good Shepherd. According to Psalm 23:1-2, “The Lord is my [our] shepherd; I [we] shall not want. He maketh me [us] to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me [us] beside the still waters.” From this passage of scripture, we find that one of the critical components to finding rest is a reliance on the Lord. Are you following the leading of the good shepherd?
As you grab for the next round of coffee or take your morning break, I invite you to take a few minutes and pray. Prayer reminds us to relinquish stress and cares into the hands of our heavenly Father. It begins the process of engaging with our heavenly Father as we seek His counsel and guidance in our hearts throughout the day.
Daily Prayer:
Father God, I decree and declare that you are my good shepherd, and I shall not want for anything that pertains to my day. I acknowledge you as the source of my wisdom, my strength, and my intellectual abilities. Thank you for giving me rest today. I rest in your promises. You have promised me everything that pertains to life and godliness through the presence of your son living inside of me (2 Peter 1:3). To some, it may be a mystery, but for me, it is a lived reality.
Thank you that amid chaos, confusion, and the stress of hard work and family issues, my heart rests in you, for in you, I find an oasis of love. Thank you, Father, for healing my broken and bruised heart and restoring my wellbeing.
My heart desires to bring honor to your name. Thank you for guiding me on the path that I should take. Fear will not overtake me. You have not given me a spirit of fear, so as I seek to fulfill my assigned tasks, I do so with confidence and fearlessness.
The authority that I have in you gives me strength and confidence. Even when opposition confronts me, I respond from peace within, for your Holy presence brings comfort. I fight the good fight of faith and overcome my adversities throughout my day. As I walk the path following your guidance, I find rest for my soul. Amen.
Daily Scripture:
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (KJV).