Rest in the Waiting

Conclude this week's journey of untangling from expectations with this vital episode about rest as an act of trust. Based on Psalm 37:3-7, we learn that many of us are overworked and flatly tired, and we need to untangle from our expectations of life to rest in the goodness of God. Rest is not laziness—it's an act of trust declaring that God is in control, not us.

What You'll Learn:

• Why rest is an act of trust, not laziness
• The progression in Psalm 37: trust, delight, commit, be still, wait
• Why we struggle to rest and what drives our constant striving
• The Sabbath principle and why rest is commanded, not optional
• A practical untangle moment to choose rest as worship

The Psalm's Progression: First, David says "Trust in the Lord, and do good." Trust comes first—before doing, before striving, before accomplishing. Then, "Delight yourself in the Lord"—not in your productivity or accomplishments, but in the Lord. Then, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." Notice: He will act. Not you doing everything—Him acting. Finally, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." Be still—the opposite of striving, anxious effort, trying to make things happen through sheer willpower. This progression involves trusting, delighting, committing, being still, and waiting. None of that involves exhausting yourself or glorifying burnout.

Why We Can't Rest: We don't trust that God will act if we're not constantly acting—we think if we stop, nothing will happen. We've tied our worth to our productivity—if we're not accomplishing, we feel like we're not valuable. We're afraid—of falling behind, missing out, failing, what people will think if we're not constantly busy. We've bought into the lie that rest is laziness, that taking a break means we're not serious, that stopping to breathe means we're weak. But God says the opposite: rest is trust, rest is strength, rest is obedience.

The Sabbath Principle: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh—not because He was tired or the work was all done, but to establish a principle: rest is built into the rhythm of life. When God gave the Ten Commandments, one was about rest: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). Rest isn't optional—it's commanded. God knows we need it, not just physically but spiritually. When you rest, you're declaring that God is in control, not you. You're saying "The world doesn't depend on my constant effort. God is sustaining it. And I trust Him." That's why rest is an act of trust.

Waiting Versus Striving: Waiting is not doing nothing—waiting is active trust, choosing to rest in God's timing instead of forcing your own. Striving says "I have to make this happen. If I don't push, it won't get done." Waiting says "God is at work. I'll do what's mine to do, and I'll trust Him with the rest." Striving is anxious, exhausting, desperate. Waiting is peaceful, purposeful, confident. When you stop striving and start waiting, you often see God work in ways you never could have accomplished on your own.

Your Untangle Moment: Identify one area where you're striving anxiously instead of resting, then practice untangling by choosing one deliberate act of rest as an expression of trust in God. 

Perfect for anyone exhausted, burnt out, struggling with constant striving, or learning that rest is worship and trust, not weakness.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 37:3-7 Series: Untangle Week Theme: Untangle from Expectations

Learn to rest in God's goodness and discover that rest is not laziness but an act of trust in God's control.