Be Still, Advent Day 2: Rest in Renewal

2 Corinthians 5:17

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

Redeeming Your Past

There is a simple little ritual that you can do every night that could literally change your life. At the end of the day, write down all the details about an upsetting event that happened that day. Except, in your story, turn everything around so that every negative event becomes the most wonderful thing that could have happened.

While we know that only God can restore what the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25), we need to do our part in clearing our resentment, anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness. Research also backs this imaginary fairy-tale writing, called “Postive Reframing.”  A report in the Harvard University Stress and Development Lab reports that positive reframing reduces cortisol levels and brings other benefits. Journaling with a focus on positive reinterpretation significantly reduces stress, improves emotional well-being, and even enhances our physical health.

When you rewrite your day with a lens of renewal, you’re not just engaging in wishful thinking. You’re training your brain to see opportunities in challenges and hope instead of despair — which leads to guilt, grudges, anger — all the things that keep us away from receiving God. Over time, this practice will rewire our neural pathways, making optimism and gratitude our default response.

This journaling exercise isn’t about denying reality—it’s about stepping into the truth of knowing that God has a plan, and that it’s always good for us.

Renewal Through God’s Perspective

In Genesis 8:4, as the ark finally comes to rest on Mount Ararat, Noah steps into a world washed clean—a new beginning. Matthew Henry writes that the ark’s rest was a sign of God’s faithfulness, a moment of renewal that followed the storm. Once again, we see that rest is a decision and an act of faith. “Rest is not idleness,” he writes, “but the confidence of knowing God’s purposes are unfolding.”

I have nothing to add to Matthew Henry’s commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:17 – it perfectly and almost breathtakingly describes a beautiful, rich privilege we have now:

“And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away—old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new. Note: Regenerating grace creates a new world in the soul; all things are new. The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.”

The key word here is regenerating – Which Webster defines as bringing into renewed existence, generating again.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Let us create the space and allow Your Spirit to let Your grace transform and renew us—to create a new world within our hearts. Thank You for the regenerating grace that breathes life into our weary souls, giving us the strength to change the way we respond, as we know that You are the one who always gives us the best. Just as the ark came to rest upon Mount Ararat, remind us that rest is not idleness but a confident surrender to Your unfolding purposes.

Let us live with new hearts, renewed minds, and transformed spirits, knowing that You are faithful to guide, restore, and make all things new.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Catch up on all of the Be Still Advent readings here.