“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
I used to be one who tried to figure out life. The more I tried, the more frustrated and stressed I became. Panic and anxiety were my daily companions. Feeling like I was choking wasn’t fun. It scared me.
Since then, I’ve learned the only way I can live is to NOT try to figure out life. I do best when I rest in the LORD. Living one moment at a time with God.
Well, this month as many of you know I am trying to rest. Can I be honest and tell you the more I rest, the more restless I become. I thought I could rest in spirit as I moved about my business. Not so easy. I have too many things to do. And I tend to shut down when life is busy. Reading a book sounds like a sweet escape for times like this.
* My son has high school finals this week, along with his first basketball game of the season.
* My daughter is working on her science fair project.
* My husband has lots of meetings this month to prepare for 2010.
* And I have two talks to give this week. One at MOPS tomorrow night and the other on Sunday afternoon for the teens in jail. Both of which I still need to pray and prepare for.
And let’s not mention the fact that I have not put up my Christmas tree. Unusual for me. And I’ve only bought one present. Christmas cards? I haven’t done those either. Not sure I will. I may go the e-card route for the first time ever.
The bottom line is my resting isn’t working. I must kick it into high gear and plan each day. Making my list and checking things off. Something I don’t normally do well.
Right about now I need a different perspective: God’s perspective. He sees things from above. He sees the bigger picture and it’s beautiful like this view from above. I need to look to heaven and thank God for another day.
It’s time I stop looking at my burdens– and start looking to God for strength.
I’m clinging to this verse today:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8(NIV).
Now I must go and abound in good work!
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Are you experiencing something similar? If so, please share. Tell me how you are dealing with the added stress. Maybe I can learn from you. I’m definitely ready to listen!
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(pic taken on flight back from Florida in October)
Sweet sis, breathe in God, breathe out the stresses of life. Breathe Him in deeply. Praying for you, and loving you.
Bless your heart. Some of us, myself, included are just not prone to "sitting around." I would like to, but when I sit I can think of a hundred things I would like to do or need to do.
Everything will come together…just take a deep breath and let go and let God.
Blessing and hugs!
Rose
I'm the same way, Tiff. The more I have to do I tend to become paralyzed by it all and I do nothing. I haven't done Christmas cards on a regular basis for years. Some years I do, some I don't. I hate to be that way, but to be honest, it's getting harder and harder to justify the expense. I've trimmed back the list and I do email Christmas letters that can be printed out if the receiver would like to.
I'll be praying for your talks. I'm done for the year now. I didn't take on any speaking for the month of December – boundaries you know. But January starts up with a vengeance. So, we'll see.
I miss you SO MUCH!!! Lets try to Skype soon. Let me know what works for you.
Love you my friend!
Oh, BTW, I wrote about our conversation about boas and husbands hunting today over at Exemplify on the Marriage Channel. I still laugh over that one.
Resting is hard work for sure! Blessings to you in all you do with peace that goes beyond understanding…
Tiffany,
You don't mind if I cling to that verse as well do you? I am holding on to hope that God's timing is so much better than mine and even now while I continue to fight this stubborn infection He has His hand in it all and I will be healed in His timing and not mine! May I rest in His assurance of that.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Thank you for a good reminder of God's grace even when life seems crazy.
I read Nichole's blog early this morning. It is talking about a similar topic. I posted a comment there. If you so desire it'd behoove you to read it here. It fits perfect with your post today Tiffany. Amen! I love how God coordinates!
I think one of the hardest things to master is resting inside and allowing the power of the Spirit of God to empower us to accomplish much. Trying to understand resting while working is not easy to do. But God longs for us to allow Him to do the work through us while we rest in Him. It is not a matter of not doing anything. It is a matter of doing it all in His power. When we begin to feel tired or stressed, we can know that we have picked up the job to accomplish it on our own. An illustration that helps me that I have used in trying to explain this truth is when I have picked up something heavy to carry from one place to another and one of my little kids has come over and wanted to help. I let them put their hands on the box as if to help carry it. After the job was done, it appeared to them as if they had helped do the work, but in reality after the work was done, they had extended no effort of their own to do it. The power of the work came from me, they just got to enjoy the thrill of accompanying me along the way. They were not tired at all when we were done. It was all fun to them. I believe that life is intended to be accomplished in His power. We just get to enjoy the company of the One doing the work as we join in to be with Him. The difference in this illustration and in our life with God is that God waits for us to join Him before He sets His power in motion to accomplish His work. His power resides within us and He has teamed up with us to get the work done. He does the work as we accompany Him and set up our hands beside His, but all of the weight is truly only on His shoulders.
Girl you are on my heart, mind and in my prayers…(for some wacky reason…I cannot access my email today…or else I would be emailing you back my friend!) I love you and I know you will deliver His message to the women in the MOPs group and the teens! You are such a blessing!
I can relate! I feel extremely disorganized this year, yet I believe God is promising great things if I will purposely order my day and get on my face before Him. One thing I am doing is going to bed on time. A small thing, but it has helped me so much to not feel mentally and physically overwhelmed.
Have you ever noticed how when we pray or long for something…a fruit of the spirit, a more Christ like spirit, or in your case rest, that God allows experiences that work those qualities into our life. It is as you seek rest in Him that life has become crazy busy, but it will be as you find that rest during the busiest of times that rest will mean even more then it has ever meant. From knowing you just a short time…I can tell you will make it work. Thinking of you, and thanks for the encouragement..as always.
It is Dec 14th and I do not have a tree or any presents either. What's going on Tiff? B
I appreciate your honesty here. I think this really resonates with a lot of us as women.
Good for you, in taking stock of what's going on, and deciding that maybe you don't need to send out cards this year, for instance. We're considering the same.
I pray you find rest tomorrow. I send you my love …
Can't give you much help here… It's much easier to escape than to "be still"… It's easy to get restless. We are so used to noise and activity… shutting it all down is REALLY hard.
It's much easier for me to escape into the internet, browsing away than it is to make the effort to write something. It's easier to play around here than to play a game or write a letter, heaven forbid…
The thorns and thistles of life bear down… it's easy to see them all around. And just the thought of putting forth the effort to do anything once you see them just shuts you down… or at least it does for me sometimes.
My only resource becomes "God if you want me to ____________ then you are going to have to pour something in me and motivate me, cause I got nothing. He's good about motivating me with what He desires me to do, once I actually go there…
I've been where you are… heck can be there on any given day. All I can offer you is… God…. He is the answer.
Love you friend!
We too have been up against many struggles, so many Christians seem to be battling heavy right now. We are turning to prayer in unprecedented ways! Staying hidden in Christ and seeking His mercy and strength to be revealed in and through us! Bless you Tiffany and may God continue to use you as a vessel of honor for His Glory!
I can't make it through my day without a list and prayer before I start. Then…I remind myself of the scripture, the day is sufficent and my God is sufficent for me to get done the things He brings my way. I also am fine now if I don't get everything checked off that list each day! 🙂
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Paulette Harris
I am "behind" on many things this year, too…sometimes my head feels like it is going to explode when I start listing everything in my mind that I "need/want" to do…what has worked for me is to step away (mentally and physically if possible) for a few minutes, clear my mind, and praise the Lord for CHRISTmas, and ask Him to help me focus on what He wants me to do…
I still have a long list, but I am at peace with knowing what I can get done, and what I can not get done…the sun will still rise tomorrow….
I wish I had some words of wisdom, but all I can tell you is that Christmas will be here and the only thing that needs to be ready is your heart and soul – God doesn't care if the tree isn't up and cards aren't sent. I've learned this not so much because of lack of time, but rather lack of income the last year. It's hard to accept, but once you do the time (or in our case, money) seems to appear to get done what you want to get done.
Praying for you today!
So, did ya get your tree up?
Hope you had a chance to curl up and read a book. Or, maybe sit and watch TV…remember, you're free to be you.
I would not presume to get on a soap box and tell you how to handle these busy and often stress filled days. I love what Rebecca said about Christmas will be here whether we are ready or not (tree, cards, etc) but all we REALLY need to get ready is our heart!
This year I have been in the "simplify" mode. I'm trying to major in the majors…because I do tend to overdo things.
One thing that has helped me immensely is I joined a 90 day on-line study group with several daily disciplines attached. One of them is singing or listening to godly music every day. I'm not copping out by just turning on the radio…I have been taking about 45 minutes early each morning to do the reading, writing, prayer, and singing…I keep a couple favorite hymnbooks nearby and I'm really looking at the words and music of the Advent hymns.
But on those days where I just plain feel overwhelmed with my things running through my head of what needs to be done, I just fall on my knees and pray, "Lord, please order my day" It is so amazing how it all falls into place.
May the Lord bless you Tiffany with the peace of this holy season!