By God’s grace we are promised “rest,” i.e., rest from striving, rest from working things out on our own, rest from failing to find peace or comfort in this world, rest from the pain of fear, disappointment or betrayal. A gift of God’s grace is “rest” and we are invited to enter rest by taking the steps of obedience. John and I have both worked with people who are oppressed by compulsive behavior. They cannot or will not get off the merry-go-round of repetitive sin to find the rest their souls crave and strive for. Why, because at some point in their lives, they put their faith in something from the world around them for comfort and satisfaction. When it didn’t completely do either, their hearts became hardened through blaming God for, what they perceived as, His neglect. They made a choice to not believe the Truth, the Way and The Life, and their hearts became more hardened. It became easier to be disobedient, or so they thought, but the oppression of sin only drove them to more compulsivity, more striving, and more frustration until they are faced with destruction. What is the cure? Jesus Christ is He who is the Way to the Father and His “throne of grace,” where we can “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” All of us, at some point, will look outside of ourselves to find help when we are needy. If we choose the All-sufficient One and trust Him for mercy and grace we will find rest. If not, we will continue in striving. Where are you placing your confidence in your time of need? Selah.