It has been a month of difficult days. When I started to reflect on how many days had been difficult, I realized it had been an entire month. Too many obligations, not enough time, and sickness has wreaked havoc in my life for a while now. I began to notice that I was feeling overwhelmed, a sure sign that my life was out of balance. I knew exactly what was causing the stress and I knew what it was I needed to do. However, following through with what I needed to do would be the real accomplishment.

Resting

It is time for some rest. Not sleeping, resting. Spending some quality time with God and having a conversation with Him. Trusting Him to lead me where I need to go, to say what needs to be said, and to do what needs to be done. (Not everything – just what is needed) (Luke 10:41) It can be easy to substitute laziness for rest. Don’t fall into that pit of Satan. He will tell you that you need to lay around and “rest” because you are just tired. He tries to convince you that your problem is physical, not spiritual, because he doesn’t want you spending time with the Father. He knows just how energized and rested you can become by spending time with God.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Renewing

It is time for some renewal. Renewal is the replacing or repair of something that is worn out. Many times my patience, endurance, and sanity needs renewing. When I spend time with the Father, I allow my soul to soak up His presence like a sponge. It is a salve that repairs the cracks in my person. When I participate in the renewing process, I allow God to provide for my needs. I can become flexible instead of brittle. I need this renewing every day in order to be an effective model and witness for Christ.

You wearied yourself by such going about,but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength,and so you did not faint. (Isaiah 57:9-11)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Realizing

It is time for some realizations. I am beginning to understand that when my moods change to those of selfishness it is usually because of an ungrateful attitude. I may have neglected to say thank you too many times or I may have just gone through the motions. Many people who are unappreciated get cranky and negative. I am so glad that God does not share those flaws. He loved us before and continues to love us even when we don’t appreciate Him or say thank you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)  

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.        (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Receiving

Accepting what happens is not always easy. God loves us enough to allow trials. Do we love Him enough to trust Him to use those trials for our good and His glory? Are we choosing to receive and accept what He has for us at this time and thank Him for it?  Remember, receiving is an action and it does not imply that you are accepting what you are receiving. Accepting what God has for us is believing (trusting) that He has our best interests at heart and agreeing with Him about that.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart  and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)