Resting my Mind

By Beate Daae Rognli, Oslo, Norway

Scripture Reading

• Isaiah 9:6
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16
• John 16:33

I jolt awake, look at the clock and a sigh of distress slips through my lips as it shows 3 am. I toss and turn for a little while, then settle for stillness, trying not to wake my husband, as I plead with God to bless me with another few hours of sleep. 

Thoughts are racing through my mind: problems to be solved, tasks to be done, messages to be sent, conversations to be had, worries for the days ahead and some regrets from the day that has passed. It’s a blend of work and life related issues, all mixing together and building up to a crescendo inside my head as the noise of the day gives way to the silence of the night.

Sleep does not return and I recognize the situation for what it is – a mind in need of rest.

Rest is more than the hours we sleep—it’s also how we intentionally give our body, mind and soul time and space to recover and rejuvenate. As we rest our mind, we will experience peace. Mental peace can be described as a state of tranquility and quietness of mind that transcends circumstances, a freedom from worry and anxiety, and a sense of feeling at ease with ourself, others and the world.

So how can we cultivate mental peace?

First, we need to acknowledge where true peace comes from. In Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) we can read: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In 2. Thess. 3:16 (NIV) we can read: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”

Jesus is the Prince of peace, the Lord of peace, and in John 16:33 (NIV) He tells us that in Him we might have peace.

Let’s look at some ways we can practice mental rest and experience Jesus’ peace.

A mind fixed on God

Is your mind fixed on yourself, others, challenges, the world around you or is it fixed on God?

Isaiah 26:3 tells us about God: “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting you” (HCSB) / “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (NLT). 

In other words, as you put your trust in God and fix your thoughts on Him and His character, your mind will experience rest and be kept in peace by God.

Practical application

Recall a single word or phrase that describes God and meditate on it. As you meditate on these descriptions of God, I recommend that you take one word at a time, inhale as you count to 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, and exhale on a count of 6. This helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system and bring calm and safety to your body. From such a state, it’s a lot easier to embrace the truth. Then repeat the process with a different word.

Here are some scriptures to get you started, and then you can add to the list as you come across verses in your own reading:

Faithful - Deuteronomy 32:4

Sovereign - Jeremiah 32:17

King of glory - Psalm 24:8

Compassionate and Gracious - Psalm 103:8

Do not change - Malachi 3:6

Merciful - Luke 6:36

A mind filled with gratitude

Is your mind filled with discontentment and worry or is it filled with gratitude?

Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV) we can read: ^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

When telling God your troubled feelings and anxious thoughts, then recalling what to be thankful for, it moves you from a fearful mindset to a grateful one. As your focus change from what-if to what-is, it brings you into the present and the sense of overwhelm loosens its grip. Your mind finds rest and you will experience peace.

Practical application

I recommend journaling and suggest you make it a daily habit in the coming year to write down, specifically, the things that you are anxious about – then pray about them and let them go. Next, write down the things you are grateful for and thank God for them with praise giving. This practice will bring you, over time, a peace that guards your heart and mind.

Let’s wrap it up

Mental rest calms the mind and helps us experience peace. True peace comes from Jesus and we can have Jesus’ peace and cultivate a restful mind by fixing our thoughts on the character of God and by practicing gratitude. With this I wish you a happy holiday and a rested mind in the new year.

Merry Christmas!

About the Author

Beate Daae Rognli has for many years worked operationally and strategically with organizational culture, competency, and wellbeing as a human resources manager. Now she has her own company, nordicThrive, and works as a coach to working moms, helping them cultivate a sustainable life rhythm to prevent burnout and thrive.

Beate has had the privilege of being a disciple for 25 years. She and her husband, Håvard, have held various servant and leadership roles in the church in Oslo and Bergen, Norway, over their 20 years together. For the last eight years they’ve lived in Oslo together with their two beautiful teenage daughters, the oldest one also being a faithful disciple of Christ.