Respite is an interval of rest. We can rest from physical labor or mental activity. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]”1
Respite in God’s Creation
We can find rest as we experience God’s creation. As the Creator of heaven and earth, God comes and communes with us as we enjoy His beautiful world. Whether experiencing the smells of a rose garden, beholding majestic mountains covered in snow, or enjoying fields laden with crop yields, we experience a glimpse of the Creator in each occurrence.
Respite in Christ
In Christ, we find rest internally despite our outer circumstances. When ingrafted with the Prince of Peace, trials, persecution, and chaos cannot touch us. The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray about everything, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our thoughts in Christ Jesus.”2
Respite Perspective
We make choices each day of our lives. We can see the glass as half empty or half full, but the same amount of water resides there. When we encounter life from a position of “rest in the Lord,” we understand the peace that encompasses us because we know the Prince of Peace, Who is always with us. From this position of rest and peace, we can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation surrounding us even when the world is in chaos.
May we each “come” to the One Who invites us to draw near to Him. And in Him, may we find a place of respite that is not dependent on external circumstances.
Recommendations
3 Ways of Cultivating Love in Your Life – Strength with Dignity
How to Cultivate the Fear of the Lord Daily – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Matthew 11:28 AMPC
2 Philippians 4:7 WEB
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
Hart, Dr. Donna. 5 Ways God Calls You! Published by Biblical Counseling Center on March 10, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2024, from 5 Ways God Calls You! – Biblical Counseling Center
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Respit
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We receive a one-word prompt and write whatever comes to our mind. The one-word prompt this week is respite.
18 thoughts on “How to Embrace Respite in a World of Chaos”
I hadn’t considered a respite perspective before. Something to ponder. FMF11
A respite perspective is something that helps me stay in an attitude of gratitude, Annette. I can complain about the glass being half empty i.e. what I’m lacking, or I can give thanks for the glass being half full i.e. my blessings.
And sometimes what we think is a burden or a lack, God can use to direct us along a new path. (I write about that in my post this week!)
Thank you for your writing – I’m glad you used the Amplified Bible, which made me think more about a familiar verse.
Liz
(Your FMF Neighbour #13)
So true, Liz! God uses everything for our good, and He can use things in our lives to re-direct us in the way He wants us to go.
Thanks for sharing these three excellent ways to find respite from the chaos.
(Now if I could just find respite from all the hoops I have to jump through just to be able to leave a comment on your posts.)
My website guy has implemented new things to deal with spam, Sandra, I’m sorry to hear it was stressful for you. Thank you for persevering and leaving a comment. I appreciate you!
Chaos is my middle name,
mayhem’s what I do.
Everyone knows that I’m to blame,
and now you know it too.
I can’t let a day go by
without upending something,
and every chance that I espy
helps craziness take wing,
and I hope some people laugh
but maybe they’re appalled,
and maybe think I need a bath
in tar and feathers hauled
to my home upon the hill,
but ain’t no way I shall sit still.
Andrew, chaos and mayhem are relative to who is doing the defining, aren’t they?
Lisa, this is great! So wonderfully spoken.
Visiting today from FMF #2
Thanks, Paula!
A family in my church is fostering an infant and frequently needs respite. So grateful for the image this provides of God coming to my rescue!
Fostering is a gift of love to the child, I’m glad to hear other people are surrounding them with support.
Great thoughts on respite and rest here Lisa. I love the nuance of the word respite not only meaning rest, but it implies resting from some type of hardship, or challenge. How often I continue to wrestle with the hard places rather than seeking rest in Christ!
Suffering and hardship take Christ’s GRACE to enable us to enter into His rest, doesn’t Donna?
Amen. Christ alone can give us rest and peace from the troubles of the world.
Christ is the only lasting peace for our hearts and minds, Carol.
This post brought such peace this morning. “I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” The Lord knows the rest we need from daily life and calls us to step away from our circumstances to spend time with Him. He knows just what we need.
I’m thankful when we draw near to Him, Joanne, He is faithful to draw near to us. And in His Presence, we are refreshed, renewed, and revitalized.