Rest, My Soul

Rest, My Soul

By Abimbola T. Alabi

Rest, my soul, in God’s love

as you live every day.

Relax in His faithfulness

as you go along your way.

Embrace other’s happiness.

Share with those in need.

Seek peace with your neighbors,

both in words and deed.

Take things nice and easy.

Be glad for all you’ve got;

Not so fast and furious

griping on those you do not.

Fix your attention on God

and not so much on others.

Your times are in His hands;

that is all that matters.

Note to self, oh my soul:

As you do the best you can,

learn not to get upset

when things don’t go according to plan.

Relax in God’s goodness.

You know His ways are sublime.

He is never in a hurry

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but is always on time.

Poetry Appreciation

Beyond the lines and rhymes of “Rest, My Soul” by Abimbola T. Alabi lies a rich beauty:

its soothing and peaceful tone, is crafted to comfort readers and inspire trust in God.

Remarkably, the poem resonates deeply with many readers, including myself.

While it may not directly address our daily human struggles, it offers a timely gift – a sense of comfort and assurance that God is in control, urging us to be at peace.

This message is especially helpful for those whose struggles have taken a toll on their outlook, mental health, and faith.

The messages conveyed in “Rest, My Soul” offer us a lifeline of hope and resilience,

empowering us to persevere through life’s turbulent storms.

In this exploration, we’ll delve into eight pivotal messages that Abimbola T. Alabi masterfully conveys throughout the poem.

Trust in God’s Love and Faithfulness:

“Rest, my soul, in God’s Love / As you live every day”.

This impactful reminder is a powerful anchor for our hearts— one that should be replayed daily.

Reiterating God’s love for us brings stability, rooted in the assurance of His word.

Even when storms rage, we can rest assured that God’s love and faithfulness will never disappoint, providing a steadfast refuge to rest in.

Rest, My Soul

Let go of anxiety and fear:

“Relax in His faithfulness / As you go along your way”.

Having found rest in God’s love, we’re empowered to let go of anxiety and fear.

It’s a paradox to rest in God’s love while still harbouring fear.

This contradiction indicates that we’re not fully trusting in God’s love,

instead leaving room for doubt and uncertainty to creep in, despite His assurances of faithfulness.

Have we forgotten the powerful declaration of Psalm 23:4, a truth we affirm daily?

Psalm 23:4 KJV

[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.23.4.KJV

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me”.

A heart consumed by fear is contrary to God’s heart, which desires to fill us with peace, comfort, and trust.

Let’s hold fast to Philippians 4:6-7, which reminds us:

“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.”

Rest, My Soul

Focus on God, not others:

“Fix your attention on God / And not so much on others”.

A common obstacle to experiencing God’s love is a lack of focus,

often distracted by the opinions, actions, or expectations of those around us, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where hurtful words from others left you feeling shaken and lost control?

This is precisely how we can lose focus on God’s voice – when the negative words surrounding us cloud our minds and drown out His gentle whispers.

Truly, certain individuals can easily discourage or distract us from the peace found in God’s love and assurance.

However, amidst all of that, we must intentionally fix our gaze on God alone.

As Psalm 16:8-9 reminds us,

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure…”.

Rest, My Soul

Be grateful for what you have:

“Be glad for all you’ve got / Not so fast and furious / Griping in those you do not”.

For many of us, envy can creep in, causing us to lose sight of our own progress and accomplishments.

When we see others succeeding, we often forget to acknowledge how far we’ve come and the small victories we’ve achieved, instead of focusing on what we lack.

In this competitive world, it’s easy to get caught up in comparisons.

However, we must remember that our paths are uniquely ours,

and every step forward is a milestone worth celebrating. Therefore, cultivate a habit of gratitude for every accomplishment, no matter how small.

A grateful heart fosters a healthier journey, whereas an ungrateful heart consumed by envy can lead to inner conflict.

When we lack gratitude, our hearts aren’t deeply rooted in love.

This mindset hinders us from appreciating others’ successes and ultimately distracts us from our own path to peace.

Comparison and discontentment creep in, causing us to lose focus.

As children of God, let’s strive to embody His loving nature, which sees the good in everyone.

By cultivating gratitude, we’ll learn to cherish our blessings and find joy in the present moment.

Rest, My Soul

Seek peace with others:

“Seek peace with your neighbour / Both in words and deeds”.

To truly rest in God’s love, we must strive for peace in all aspects of our lives, including our daily interactions with others.

While it’s common for some individuals to test our patience, we are called to maintain inner peace and harmony, even in challenging relationships.

A peaceful mind, free from inner conflict and strife with others, is better equipped to stay focused each day.

On the other hand, a mind consumed by malice or resentment will struggle to maintain its footing.

God’s love embodies unconditional kindness and goodwill towards humanity, despite our flaws.

As you rest in God’s love, adopt this perspective and channel your energy into producing goodness –

through words and actions that bring blessings not only to yourself but also to those around you, regardless of their actions.

This doesn’t mean you’re oblivious to the harm others may intend.

Rather, you can rest assured that you’re under God’s protection, safely anchored in His love.

For God’s love is not only a source of comfort but also a shield of protection.

As 1 Thessalonians 3:3 reminds us, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

Rest, My Soul

Don’t get upset when things don’t go as planned:

“Learn not to get upset / When things don’t go according to plan”.

This can be a challenging principle to live out, as it’s only natural to experience emotions when things don’t go our way.

As humans, we’re wired to respond to successes and setbacks – celebrating triumphs and feeling disappointed by failures.

It’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to be completely stoic in the face of unexpected twists and turns.

After all, emotions are an inherent part of the human experience.

While it’s natural to feel emotional when things don’t go as planned,

the reminder not to get upset is valid in the context of trusting God’s sovereignty.

This assurance is reinforced by the encouragement to “Relax in God’s goodness”, recognizing that “His ways are sublime”.

This perspective shift helps us move from frustration to faith, trusting that God’s plans are always good, even when they differ from our own.

It’s undoubtedly challenging to accept that things won’t always go as planned,

but when we anchor our minds in God’s faithfulness and hope, we can trust that better days are ahead.

This assurance brings comfort, reminding us that today’s setbacks are not the final chapter, and that God is working everything out for our good.

Rest, My Soul

God’s Timing is Perfect:

“He is never in a hurry / But is always on time”.

I often say that if we could catch a glimpse of the bright future ahead, we’d be more patient.

We’d find peace knowing that something extraordinary awaits us, even in the midst of current struggles.

Having faith in God’s perfect timing would reassure us that every step we’re taking now is leading us to a better tomorrow.

It’s heartbreaking to see many people give up amid struggle.

They’ve lost hope, convinced that their circumstances will never improve.

But the truth is that greatness rarely happens overnight.

Instead, it’s often the culmination of a journey marked by consistency, focus, strength, zeal, and audacity.

Every success story has its own unique narrative, filled with twists and turns that ultimately lead to triumph.

The journey may seem slow, but consistency is key to steady progress.

Rather than rushing to achieve quick results, it’s essential to maintain a steady pace, fueled by diligence and perseverance.

There’s no need to hurry, for God’s plan for our lives will unfold in His perfect timing.

With patience and trust, we can rest assured that better days lie ahead, and God will accomplish His will for our lives.

Rest, My Soul

Cultivate a Positive Mindset:

“Your times are in His hands / That is all that matters”.

This powerful truth is the bedrock of a positive mindset.

Having faith that our lives are in God’s hands brings immense comfort and reassurance.

It reminds us that He is sovereign, and His plan for us is perfect.

As we navigate life’s challenges, this hope is all that truly matters, empowering us to endure with confidence and trust.

As I conclude this final point, a powerful scripture verse comes to mind:

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

I hope you’ve been blessed and uplifted as we journeyed together through this poetry appreciation of Abimbola T. Alabi’s “Rest, My Soul”—

a calming balm for our troubled minds.