Resting my Body

By Robbin Mitchell, Chicago, USA

Scripture Reading

• Luke 22:17
• Luke 5:16
• Matthew 14:23
• Colossians 3:15
• Psalm 139:1-18

As I go through many seasons of life, finding rest and peace is challenging. I have moved through yearly struggles of balancing family, aging parents, church family and the lost. Dealing with health challenges, complexities in business as well as caring for those experiencing health problems is quite pressing. I want to share three ways God has helped me see his enduring rest, which is readily available if I go to him. My worldly nature is not God-centered.

Attitude of Gratitude

One very powerful way of finding enduring rest is through living intentionally with GRATITUDE!

Ten to 12 years ago, I wrote down 1000 things for which I was grateful. A window of my heart opened that has forever given me a different spirit.  Of course, my teenage children at that time were checking my list and crossing off any repeats. The book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp spurred me to take a deep dive into a Bible word study encompassing gratitude, thankfulness and thanksgiving — which set me on a more Christ- entered path.

I now thank God each day before I sleep and wake up with intention to list things for which I’m grateful; it has been one of my most helpful and strengthening habits. This spiritual discipline also has helped still my mind from my to-do list and from my problem-solving “busy brain” that can do a number on my sleep and my joy.

After taking the cup during the Passover meal before going to the cross, Jesus gives thanks (Luke 22:17 New International Version). He had a gratitude-centered position, (eucharisto-grace, thanksgiving and joy.)

All Eyes on God

As Tom Jones put it so well in his book Mind Change: 

Uppercase Problems but lowercase god.

Lowercase problem but uppercase GOD!

It’s putting GOD bigger than the problem!

This God-centered focus shifts my focus off me and onto God. “God is up to something.” Not wanting to miss miracles and wanting a front-row view, I am much more eager to approach challenges and problems with faith and not fear. It encourages me to remember God sees the big picture. 

Recently, I was blessed to be in a bible study with a woman who had been invited to study over the phone by a disciple hundreds of miles away; they had never physically met. Thank God for this woman’s listening to the prompting of the Spirit to reach out through the miles and not allow circumstances to prevent her from being moved by God’s words. Because I lived closer, we were able to connect in-person and bond with women in her neighborhood and station in life who had experienced similar challenges. At first, I was overwhelmed by the complexities and hardship of her life. However, over and over, God performed miracles. What a miracle when she was baptized. And I had a front-row seat. 

Go to the Father

Going to the Father as we see Jesus doing over and over is so very important. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16 NIV) and went up on the mountainside by himself to pray (Matt. 14:23 NIV). The book Joyful Journey: Listening to Immanuel by E. James Wilder, Anna Kang, John Loppnow and Sungshim Loppnow has been a great encouragement. Active listening to God’s word directly speaks to me is life changing. This teaching promoted me to explore Jesus’ heart toward his Father while living on earth. I found seeds of growth sprouting.

The bond Jesus had with his father nourished and strengthened him.

Jesus remembered:   

                                    Who he was!

                                       What he was to do!

                                             How he was to do it!

Just recently, I was praying over some great heartfelt concerns of my children. Sometimes my heart gets more anxious as I cry out. This is not God’s plan. I have found that stopping to be still, quiet, and meditative enables me to write out the truth from God’s word. This process has really impacted my walk. This method of focusing back on God’s teachings has brought peace. Shalom is a state of harmony where everything works together.

Col. 3:15 (NIV) tells us that we should let the shalom act like a referee in our lives; “stop the action” every time shalom is missing.

The following principles parallel Jesus’ example:

1. Talk to God about everything (John 14:26 NIV)

2. Do nothing out of fear (John 14:27 NIV)

3. Love others deeply (John 15:17 NIV)

I was able to listen, and not just hear God’s words.

you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13 NIV)

you know when I sit and when I stand (Ps. 139:2 NIV)

You hem me in behind and before. (Ps. 139:5 NIV)

How precious are your thoughts, O God! (Ps. 139:17 NIV)

In response to listening to God’s words I wrote: “God says, ‘I love them more than you, they are my children; they are on a journey just like you are on a journey. I work all things to my Glory (Isa. 43:7 NIV).’ ” His words powerfully strengthened me from my fears.

What a powerful experience! It was like life-giving breath as you come from under water losing oxygen and breaking the surface of the water to gasp for the life-giving air freeing the explosive pressure in your body. Breathe! As God released my heart, the peace was remarkable. I was able to be still and feel his presence.

“The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7 NIV). Our God is so capable of filling us with shalom. I believe many principles in finding rest are based on being created by God and utilizing disciplines which are many times found in scripture. What is one thing each week we might work towards to give God more glory through the precious days he has given us?

Here are some I try to implement in my life and recommend to those who seek health and healing.

1. Reset my mind to be Christ-centered. “Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:42 NIV).

2. Live a gratitude filled life. “Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28 NIV).

3. Breathe intentionally with diaphragmatic muscles. “The spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)

4. Practice forgiveness and mercy. “But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt. 9:13 NIV).

5. Stay hydrated (getting off caffeine and sugar energy imposters). “… he leads me beside the still waters (Ps. 23:2 NIV).

6. Regular rest. “Be still and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10 NIV); “… he makes me lie down in green pastures” (Ps. 23:2 NIV).

7. Walk daily (in the morning light if possible). “In the morning Lord you hear my voice (Ps. 5:3).

8. Eat a whole food based diet. “God provides food for those who fear him” (Ps. 111:5); “he gives food to every creature. His love endures forever” (Ps. 136:25).

About the Author

Robbin Mitchell has been a Christian for more than 35 years. She has been blessed to have served in the ministry for quite a few years and has continuously seen many of God’s transformations in her own life and others.  She is a business owner and, as a chiropractor and nutritional health provider, she has been privileged to strengthen her personal health and benefit many through God working through her and her special staff. She is married with three children and two very loved daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.