The Richness and Reward of Resting

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (New American Standard Bible)

I am learning how to be refreshed and repaired in my internal world. When emotions become tangled, when situations get confusing, when relationships shift or appear to be dormant, when expectations are met with disappointment, and when the reminders of living in a fallen world continually confront me, THOSE are the times I need my joy restored and my spirit sustained. At those times, there is only one place to resort….in the shadow of Abba’s wings!

There have been many times when any of the afore mentioned scenarios would send me reeling but I am learning some wise alternatives. When I know something has gone awry in my spirit, it is imperative that I rest from the mental exercises of trying to figure everything out. Just like I would set aside activities if I were sick, I am seeing the importance of allowing myself to take a break when there is an emotional over load taking place. It is at that point that I stop all the thinking and wait for some direction from God. He has an answer for any thing and every thing that is taxing my mind or my spirit. Resting in Him and waiting on Him allows the “draining feeling” to stop and the infusion of energy to begin. It opens the door for me to receive that which I need from His hands.

Practically speaking, when I find myself wrestling with issues I can at any point choose to stop wrestling and become still. It doesn’t mean the issue will go away but it does mean I can have some time to get myself back into the right frame of mind and spirit to work through that issue. I am learning to see myself as a wounded soldier who is removed from the battlefield in order to be strengthened to return. Too often I have failed to remove myself and hence only grew weaker and less effective.

I took a rest this morning. Relational issues weighed heavy on my heart and became a call to rest in Abba’s presence. As I relaxed, His counsel came. Within moments He let me know what to do…..give people space and pray for their needs. He assured me the relationships are not lost. They are just in a resting mode. This is a time when He will help me to poise myself for their awakening. With restored joy and a willing spirit I face a new day!

Father, You never cease to amaze me! Open my eyes to the many resting places along my journey. Your invitations to come aside are becoming clearer to me. Amen.

WARRIOR IS A CHILD/ DO I TRUST YOU? ~ Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw