Hebrews 4 is one of the most important chapters in the Bible for personal victory, mental health, and positive influence. It emphasizes the importance of possessing “rest”. This rest is not an absence of activity, but it is peace and trust in our souls (mind, will, and emotions). It is the manifestation of the soul prosperity spoken of in 3 John 2. “​​Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

The writer of Hebrews uses some interesting language in motivating us to value and pursue this rest:

• “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:11 ESV)
• “Let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach (rest)” (Hebrews 4:1 ESV)

The concepts of striving and fearing are usually not seen as positive, but these words are meant to jolt us into valuing this rest and then devoting ourselves to possessing it. 

“Let us strive to enter that rest.” Another translation says to “make every effort to enter that rest” (NIV). This implies there will be some “work” involved to possess this life-changing force. We recognize it takes effort to keep our bodies in shape, and so it does with our mind, will, and emotions. Here are eight steps we can extract from Hebrews 4 which will cause us to enter His rest: 

1. See spiritual rest as a vital aspect of Christian maturity - “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” (verse 1). 
2. Prioritize the hearing of faith - “ For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (verse 2). The same way we get into the kingdom is the same way we advance in the kingdom: hearing good news and believing it (see Galatians 3:1-5; Romans 10:13-25).
3. Prioritize beliefs over behaviors and actions - “For we who have believed do enter that rest” (verse 3). This is the key verse in the chapter. We are to spend much more time building our beliefs than in focusing on what we are doing. If we are not at rest (peace) in an area of life, then it means we are believing lies about it. This is not for condemnation but for revelation. I am not saying we are not to have any concerns about what we are doing, but we are to be much more concerned about what we are believing. 
4. Cease doing our “own works” - “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” (verse 11). I am to cease depending on what I do as the source for breakthroughs, blessings, and God’s approval. 
5. Value God’s written and spoken word - “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (verse 12). “Man shall live . . . by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The quality of our lives and our rest depends on our identifying what God has said and is saying to us in promises, our identity, and in priorities. 
6. Keep confessing New Covenant realities - “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (verse 14). We will not enter into rest if we are mainly using our words to describe our lives instead of using our words to enter into His promises. 
7. Be vulnerable with Father God through our High Priest Jesus - “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (verse 15). Jesus is not upset by our humanity and is a safe place for us to bring our full selves.
8. Boldly and expectantly interact with God when in need - “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (verse 15). Many Christians withdraw from God until they feel unworthy, but when we are not performing well, that is the time to confidently come closer to God. 

I say often that our lack of hope about a problem is a bigger problem than the problem. It could also be said that our lack of spiritual rest concerning a problem is a bigger problem than the problem. 

If you want to go deeper into these truths, listen to this podcast and consider enrolling in my eight-week online course Fully Convinced, starting June 5th.