For many, being “busy” has become a status symbol in American life, but also for many women it seems like there is no avoiding it. Female stress and exhaustion are common today and even at an all- time high with managing work; caring for children, parents and friends; and balancing all that comes with female roles: executive, volunteer, student, friend, mom, wife, girlfriend and more. Shaunti Feldhahn’s new devotional ‘Find Rest’ addresses this further.
Shaunti Feldhahn is a popular speaker, best-selling author, and groundbreaking social researcher. Her findings have been featured by diverse media outlets: Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, the New York Times and Cosmo. With a master’s degree from Harvard University, Shaunti has worked on Wall Street and Capitol Hill. Now she applies her analytical skills to helping people and relationships thrive.
Feldhahn has recently released her substantive, inspiring new devotional, Find Rest. In this beautiful book, she guides women on a specific journey to lasting peace in the midst of a busy life.
As a popular speaker, best-selling author and groundbreaking social researcher, Shaunti Feldhahn wants women to know that a busy life doesn’t have to be one of anxiety and stress. In her first devotional, Find Rest: A Women’s Devotional For Lasting Peace In a Busy Life (iDisciple Publishing, March 26, 2018), Feldhahn leads women on a 60-day journey to find true rest and peace even in today’s modern world, drawing on both scriptures and science to focus on eight essential elements of rest.
New devotional ‘Find Rest.’ Photo Courtesy Shaunti Feldhahn
Feldhahn writes, “… I’m both a follower of Christ and a researcher… I’ve been studying both what the Bible says and what science says about finding true rest… I’ve found that so much of the stress and worry we face doesn’t have to be there! Much of our stress comes from missing a few key truths, not realizing the importance of a different mind-set or different actions, or not trusting the promises of a God whose mercies are new every morning.”
Sonoma Christian Home spoke with Shaunti Feldhahn about this new book. SCH Editor at Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.
SCH: What does “finding rest” mean?
SF: Because we have a misunderstanding about what finding rest means, it seems impossible. We are often told to slow down, but this is a discouraging answer and only a part-time solution.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 “…Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light….”
We can have rest for our souls, when we come to Him. The metaphor of a yoke suggests being connected to our Lord in the midst of daily life.
SCH: What are key truths to finding rest?
SF: There are eight of them in my book that relate to the following: Build only on Rock, Live according to your design, Set aside superwoman, Connect with God, Shift your perspective, Create life-giving relationships, Walk in obedience, and Have no fear. Science backs up scripture
about these truths.
SCH: What is a commonly overlooked element to finding rest?
SF: Often we don’t have rest in our Lord because we aren’t living according to God’s design. This includes specific spiritual gifts He gives us.
SCH: How do we develop a harmful superwoman syndrome?
SF: We develop this when we think we can do everything we want to do or should do at the same time, rather than in seasons of life. It happens when we unrealistically or inappropriately compare ourselves to others. We develop this syndrome when we are not involved with life-giving relationships. We are not designed to it all at the same time or season. We are not designed to be superwomen. We are not designed to live life alone without others.
SCH: What does Jesus teach and promise about true rest?
SF: In Matthew 11:29, He promises that when we come to Him, we will have rest for our souls.
SCH: How does God want us to view busyness?
SF: Busyness is not necessarily bad. What we need is rest for our souls.
SCH: How are peace and rest related?
SF: Find rest in Him and then experience His peace.
‘Find Rest’ is a women’s devotional about discovering peace. Photo Courtesy Shaunti Feldhahn
Feldhahn says, “This is a different type of book, and one I’ve been wanting to write for a long time…It’s a cross between a devotional, a book on rest, and a personal journal and Bible study. But I know from the research that if we as women will truly enter into these daily moments, we will find rest in our ‘inner souls’—a place of true, Christ-centered peace and joy. Rest really is possible.”
Shaunti and her husband, Jeff, live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two children. In Georgia, she has published this new book with iDisciple Publishing, the publishing division of iDisciple LLC, which is a leading global Christian media company that leverages content, data, and technology to help others connect and grow in their relationship with God. Through its relationship with world-class authors, iDisciple Publishing provides a suite of compelling spiritual growth products such as devotionals, Bibles, study guides, and non-fiction works.
Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, iD Publishing is a team of committed believers who seek to make an impact around the Globe for the Kingdom. For additional information visit iDisciple.
John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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