A single piece of thread dangles from my scarf. I tuck the lonely strand back into place. Try to hide it.
For I know if I yank the thread too hard, the scarf will bunch up. Keep pulling it and the scarf might unravel.
Ever feel that way?
Like you’re composed of multiple strings of yarn and everyone is tugging on you?
And each time those strings are pulled, you feel as though you’re unraveling. Bit by bit.
Until there’s nothing left of you, but a heap of yarn on the floor.
Unless, of course, you’ve learned to hide the loose, frayed strands from other folks.
Maybe—instead of a frayed scarf—you feel more like a string puppet. Just going through the motions with each tug. Nod, smile, wave, bend, move….
Too much jerking and we lose the elasticity of our stringy nerves. Or they get tangled from hurrying in too many directions.
So how do we avoid unraveling? Untie the knots?
How do we REST in the middle of wrestling life?
Return to the Lord and let your soul find rest (Psalm 116:7).
Exalt the Lord. Praise His name and thank Him for Who He is and the great things He has done in your life (Psalm 69:30).
Submit to the circumstances in your life in which you have no control. If we can’t change our circumstances, we can change our attitude. (Philippians 4:8)
Trust God’s promises. Knowing He use the events and people in our life for His purposes which includes molding us into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28,29)
Even when King David’s personal sin crushed him, he returned to the Lord. For he knew his redemption and delivery had nothing to do with his own character or actions.
It had everything to do with God’s lovingkindness and compassion.
Maybe you’re on the endangered list as your inner being unravels. Desperate for God’s compassion.
Turn off the news; the cell phone.
Go to your hiding place and show your Abba Father the knarled knots and loose strings.
Then R.E.S.T.
And like a child who waits while a parent untangles his shoestrings…
Allow the Lord to clip and mend your frayed, loose strings until you’re new again and ready to rumble.
Photos by Jennifer Wrede Photography
Great thoughts, Karen. Love the R.E.S.T. idea.
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Susan, I once spoke on the topic of rest and came up with the acronym to help people AND MYSELF remember how to rest.
There’s so much reference to rest in the Bible. So much need in our culture to rest–physically, emotionally, spiritually. Trust me, I’ve had to apply these thoughts many times!!
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Karen! You write in a way that is so easy to read. I really enjoyed finding “REST in the middle of a wRESTling world.” Thanks for your ministry!
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What a nice compliment! Thank you for sharing. FYI, the blog may be “easy to read,” but goodness, I have to be intentional if I’m going to apply these truths to my life. We’re all a work in progress. But I can honestly say, R.E.S.T makes a difference! Blessings
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You are absolutely right. Intentionally makes all the difference most of the time. I appreciate your ability to take difficult concepts and bringing them to the point of application.
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Reblogged this on Built with Grace.
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Mike, thank you for reblogging this post. May the Lord use it to help folks who are unraveling and need to R.E.S.T
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Thank you for sharing your gift!
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Amazingly written 👌👌
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Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate you pausing to read this blog! God bless!
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