I can worry with my eyes closed. In fact, I’ve done some of my best fretting in my sleep. Even when I’m alert, worry drones on beneath the surface looking for an opening to pop through.
My worries appear reasonable. Physical facts support them. But—and this is a big “but”—they leave out the character and nature of God.
When I experienced some health issues that included fatigue and brain fog, assorted fears taunted me. The realization that aging could make me frail and vulnerable frightened me. I realized that when I feel strong I know that with God I can handle life. But when my ump to push though evaporates, my confidence fizzles.
I reexamined my premise: with God I can handle anything. I had to ask myself if I believed God could cover everything when I couldn’t help.
Was my confidence in Him or in me? Physical, mental, emotional, and financial proficiency brings the illusion of security. Lack of those brings a terrible awareness of vulnerability.
Nature supported my perception. Strong animals dine on the weak and wounded. Ruthless people exploit the poor and aged.
But God
God gently, but strongly, interrupted my fretting. The Bible Gateway app I’d set on continuous play got stuck on Deuteronomy 33. Even after I manually moved it forward, every time I opened it to continue where I’d left off, it went back to this particular chapter. Since I tend to listen to it when I’m doing other things, I couldn’t always readjust it. I decided God
had something He wanted me to hear.
Sure enough, verse 12 continued to stand out.
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (NIV).
One morning, while listening to praise music, that verse opened up for me. “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him.”
God offered security. Would I let myself rest in Him?
That morning I decided to “rest secure in Him.” I pictured my Shepherd lifting me onto His shoulders, as a shepherd would a lamb, and carrying not only me but also all the cares I’d picked up. Relief washed over me.
What cares has the world laid on your shoulders? Will you let yourself rest secure in Him?
Jesus offers rest. We decide whether or not we'll receive it. #devotion, #rest Share on XJesus offers rest to us. We choose whether or not we’ll receive it.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 25:28 NIV).
Blessings,
Resources
Give Yourself a Break offers more help in entering God’s rest.
Coming soon is the ebook Give Yourself a Break From Unrealistic Expectations and Difficult People. It covers the first two topics in Give Yourself a Break.
Photos by Spring Fed Images and Daniel o’dowd on Unsplash
Sometimes I link up with these great sites:
Tea &Word Tuesday, #Kelly Balarie & Friends, #Recharge Wednesday, #Coffee for Your Heart, #TuneinThursaday, #HeartEncouragment #Dance with Jesus, #Grace and Truth,
Great reminder Debbie and one that I, particularly, can never hear too often!
Ann, I seem to need to be reminded often too! 🙂
I love this, Debbie!
Thanks, Marlou!
Debbie, Your writing is so beautiful and vulnerable to share what God is doing in your own life. Really appreciate the encouragement that your blog articles give to me and others.
Blessed week! Glenda
Thank you, Glenda. You too!
Debbie, this is one of the best
articles ever!! I’ve sent it to
everyone on my e-mail list. As
everyone is hyperventilating over politics, the Lord reminds me that He, Himself, raised up
Trump & even when Obama was
in office, the Lord continued to
remind me that His Truth is marching on. As outward circumstances & the obvious
polarization intensifies, Joshua 5:13-15 speaks to my heart,
“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up & saw a man standing in front of him w/
a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him & asked,
‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ Neither, He replied,
‘but as Commander of the Army of the Lord I have now come.’ Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence & asked
Him, ‘What message does my Lord have for His servant? ‘. The
Commander of the Lord’s Army
replied, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.'”
We can rest knowing He is Lord & He is Holy & He is coming soon!!
So grateful for your writings,
Debbie, keep speaking His Truth!
Thank you, Marilyn. Resting in Him applies to every area of our lives. There is always a temptation to carry the load ourselves.
Amen. God offers rest to all of us. I find comfort in resting in God’s Love.
Me too, Melissa! How wonderful to remember that He is love.
He really does carry us close to His heart, after making us lie down in green pastures. thanks, Debbie.
Thank you, Rebecca.
“But God” are two of my favorite words!
What difference those two words can make! Thanks, Heather.
Don’t you love it when God keeps speaking the same thing over and over again? Thank you for sharing with all of us. I think I m not a big worrier and yet I find myself trying to be the lead instead of God. I needed your word to rest in him.
Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up
Maree, thank you!
Oh, I needed this today! Yes, when our worries invade our minds, we need to rest in who God is. His character is incomparable and so great. He’s in control. Thank you for sharing at Grace and Truth last week. I would love to feature this tomorrow.
Thank you, Dawn. That is awesome!