I wasn't a hyper child, but I was busy. I wasn't a hyper teen-ager, but I was driven. I wasn't a hyper adult, but I was always setting goals and making plans - - - and then exceeding them and making more.
It's interesting for me to look back and see that over this last year this word has taken on a new meaning. I have encountered many health struggles and challenges that have taken my abilities away and have made me have to adjust to limitations for the first time in my life.
That has been very hard and painful for me.
At the same time, I have been learning the meaning of what it means to rest in the peace and promises of the LORD in a way I have never had to before.
Before hitting this physical wall, I was always able to put off the need for a balanced life; I was addicted to accomplishment and achievement. Rest seemed like something you would do in retirement, when you had time to kill or a body that wasn't functioning at high levels anymore.
I will always wonder if me avoiding rest for the beginning of my life has been a huge factor in the health problems I have developed now as a late 30-something. I will never know.
What I do know is that rest is considered a blessing from the LORD - and I am grateful for His lessons and Grace as I learn how to embrace a more balanced life and the rejuvenation that comes from resting in Him.
Psalm 16
A miktam[a] of David.
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 62[a]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 116:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
for the Lord has been good to you.
I can relate to much of what you said about setting goals and not resting...and a few years ago, a wise woman shared this verse with me: "It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of anxious toil, for He gives blessings to His beloved in sleep." (Psalm 127:2) Man, was that convicting! Still struggling to live that out.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the verses that kept running through my mind as I was writing this post....
DeleteIt really resonates with me right now considering that I have just been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. God is my Healer - and He is faithful!
Thank you so much for your comment! May God bless you, Nikki!
---Gina Marie
Oh yes, this rings true with me as well. My husband loves to remind me that in Ps. 23 it says "He MAKETH me to lie down in green pastures." I, like you, hate to made to do anything. But He is I AM. He's funny like that. Thank you for sharing today. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Debi. There have been many times, I am sad to admit, that God has had to MAKE me lie down. It has been hard to submit and surrender myself to the need of rest in my life. Grateful that the LORD is with us and patient as we learn His ways.
DeleteGod bless you!
---Gina Marie
I used to see Time as the ultimate enemy and avoided rest, seeing it as a mechanism for time to get the upper hand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out Psalm 15. (Also thanks for the kind words on my blog.
Blessings,
Laura Hedgecock
http://www.TreasureChestofMemories.com
I used to feel that way about TIME too. Thankful for God's leading in this area of my life.
DeleteIt was a pleasure to read your blog post - thank you so much for your kind words and feedback today!
God bless you!
Gina Marie