I was good at taking care of others and getting things done. But, I wasn’t good at nurturing my own heart or taking care of my well-being. So I became overwhelmed with stress, although you couldn’t tell, because I was good at working hard, pleasing others, surviving and pushing through.
But, in my honest moments, I longed to find my spark again: to experience God’s peace and joy in a fresh, intimate way.
Women are heroes when it comes to loving and caring for others. But I wonder … Why is it so hard to give ourselves permission to rest and refresh, especially when we’re stressed and need it most?
Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Notice Jesus does not say, “Come to me strong, cheerful, calm and untroubled.”
It’s the opposite. We’re invited to come to Jesus when we’re weary — whether confused, anxious, angry or stressed. Jesus tells us to come as we are. Imperfectly His.
God doesn’t want us to do more for Him. He longs to take care of us and whisper words of love and peace.
Let’s Get Practical – and a Book Giveaway!
Maybe you find yourself asking: How can I get practical about rest? How can I take better care of myself and draw close to God?
These are questions I asked myself, too. I began researching the answers and, to my delight, God helped me discover 40 ways to detox stress from my soul with uplifting Scriptures, simple soul care to spark joy, and prayers to feel God’s peace again. I captured them in my book Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul.
This week, I have the amazing opportunity to guest post a devotional for Proverbs 31 Ministries to share THREE ways to get practical about rest and to find your spark again – and I’m doing a BOOK GIVEAWAY, to give away copies of Whispers of Rest!
It’s Official: Whispers of Rest is #1 Amazon Best Seller!!
Oh my heart! Whispers of Rest hit #1 Amazon Best Seller this week! Ranking Top #300 of all books!! THANK YOU for your love & support! You gave wings to this book of God’s whispers of love! We did it! 
Get a copy for a friend or yourself! http://bit.ly/WhispersofRestbook
Every woman deserves all the love, beauty and rest that God intended for each of us — not just the picture-perfect but because we are perfectly-beloved!
I love reading the reviews that you’ve have posted and readers around the world, seeing God powerfully real, alive in your hearts! Let’s keep spreading this message of God’s love and rest! Wahoo!!
I’m so grateful. It’s my passion that every woman feels as beloved & beautiful as she truly is! If someone like me who has gone through panic attacks & anxiety can be set free to be refreshed, to find joy again, I know you can too! That’s what I pour out on every page for you, sweet friends!
Thank you especially to those of you following my journey for years, as I healed from my panic attacks triggered by childhood trauma and supporting my first book Finding Spiritual Whitespace ! Without your love & support for me as an author, there would be no book #2 Whispers of Rest! xo
I hope to post an Easter greeting tomorrow on the blog, but if the day gets away from me (remember living your real life with your friends and family and taking time to nourish you, to unplug and rest and refresh is most important), may I lovingly and with sisterly affection, say from my heart: Happy Easter – for the Lord is risen!! He is risen indeed – in YOU!!
Btw, please follow me on Instagram and Facebook, friends! My username on Instagram & Facebook is @thebonniegray. I post almost daily there, sharing quick words of encouragement to refresh your heart and help you detox from stress, from my everyday life. I’d love to encourage you there with peaceful posts to help you soak in God’s love for you – because social media is #1 source of stress nowadays in our modern world!
Click here to read my devotional on Proverbs 31 now and Enter to win a copy! Share with your friends, so they can win too!!
Love,
