Who knew when I wrote this blog back in February that I’d be speaking at a women’s conference this month on the topic “Finding Rest in the Middle of Wrestling Life.”
Isn’t it just like the Lord to remind me of this blog considering for the past three weeks I’ve had poor health, AND fractured my big toe so I’m limping along in life.
So like it or not, here is the message on rest that speaks to my current circumstances the same way it did earlier this year…
For almost three weeks, I’ve been home bound with ill health, and I’m still not up to par.
I miss the days I woke up ready to rumble. And went to bed feeling as though I’d been productive.
I tell myself: “It’s okay. Use this time to rest. Read the Bible. Pray.
But my mental energy is sapped; lethargy takes over. Spiritual disciplines are minimal, I’m just going through the motions.
Are you there Lord? How much longer?
I’m weary of resting; waiting for good health and LIFE to resume.
An inner voice whispers, “This IS life.”
So like it or not,
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
God knows my circumstances. He allowed it.
Can I rejoice and be glad in it?
Not happy about ill health, but rejoicing that God is with me even in this season of ill health and lethargy?
Can I rejoice without whining?
Knowing that Nothing is Wasted.
Because when I come before God, fully submitted and willing to learn…He teaches me.”
So what has He taught me?
That when I’m healthy, I am more prone to live independent of God and be self sufficient. But when I’m unable to do anything in my own strength: Not housework, not ministering to others, not even meditating on God’s Word … I’m forced to REST in God’s strength and grace.
At the end of myself, I’m forced to let go of expectations …. those things I think will make me happy such as good health and productivity.
And REST in the knowledge that every circumstance is an opportunity to be made in the image of Christ and bring Him praise.
By keeping my eyes on Jesus, the lifter of my head,
I’m able to REST and REJOICE even in this……
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Even In This 
A touching tribute to the works of the Lord who leads us through pain and rest and teaches us to recognize that they are both necessary and gifts from God.
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Thanks. .i needed that!!
Sent from my iPhone
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And to think I almost didn’t publish it since it was a rerun. But I need the lesson to over and over.
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Oh, goodness, can I ever relate to this! Different circumstances, but rest in Him. Trust. Surrender. Obey. My turn to pray for you, my friend.
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Terrie, if anyone has had to learn how to practice resting in the Lord this past month…you get the prize! And thank you for the much-needed prayers.
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Love the topic of your talk, Karen. I wish I could be there. I’m still learning how to live in rest while wrestling through the accomplishing of goals and a to-do list. I’ve spent so much of my life not doing anything that this is new to me – still figuring out how to live in rest while working. It’s even harder the days I procrastinate – like today!
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I find it hard to believe that you spent so much or your life not doing anything…I knew that our rest is found in Christ alone, and then I have to remain in Him, living in the moment instead of focusing on the future what ifs or living in if only…past regrets.
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