Healing takes time. I’m learning that more and more having gone through two major surgeries within the past three months. Six days into recovery, I felt good yesterday and overextended myself, Today, I’m paying the price. My mind and spirit say, “I can do it!” while my body says “NO YOU CAN’T”!
It’s hard to be patient, to wait until our bodies catch up to our will to do and accomplish what we see needs done around us. Instead of listening to my body (and my doctor), I plunged ahead and now face a setback.
How often do we do the same with God — pull ahead instead of waiting on His timing and will? When it seems our prayers go unanswered, we often tire of waiting and take things into our own hands.
And that works out about as well as me trying to do leg-lifts a week after surgery.
Not good!
GOD USES THE DOWN TIMES
God can use the down times in our lives if we allow Him. Slowing the pace of life not only benefits our minds and bodies, but our spiritual well-being as well.
Health issues are stressful enough, but when they hit both you and your spouse at the same time, it’s doubly challenging. Combine that with an unexpected change of insurance, wheat harvest, a wedding, and a book launch and our stress level has been off the charts!
FINDING PEACE
It reminds me of the time Jesus was in the boat with His disciples and a gale-force wind was thrashing them about (Mark 4). How the disciples–a number of them seasoned fishermen–strived to keep control. And yet, they were consumed with fear.
While Jesus slept peacefully through it all.
Waking Him, they said, “Don’t you care that we are perishing in this storm?”
And Jesus, in his calm, gentle way, said, “Peace. Be still.” And the wind and waves fell silent.
How often we forget that same powerful Spirit of Jesus resides in us today? And yet, like the twelve disciples, we worry and strive and attempt to handle things on our own strength. If we’ve claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior, all we need do is confide in Him, and wait in assurance that He will act.
It’s tough to rest and be patient. But, healing takes time. When we learn to stop striving and give our fears and concerns to God, only then will we find peace.
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Thank you, so beautifully said!
Thanks, Betsy! So glad you stopped by.
Don’t feel too bad Cynthia. We all do the superhuman thing when we should be on the back burner while we heal. But I’m so glad you had a good day. Listen to your body, your doctor, and most of all, your Lord. They all know what’s best. Take the time to heal. Praise God, you’ve come this far. We’re praying for a speedy recovery, but you’ll still have to give it time.
God bless you.
Thanks for the prayers and encouragement, Sharon! Much appreciated!
I can certainly relate. Especially the plunging ahead part!
Keep healing.
LOL! Yes. It’s such a challenge to slow down and rest to let God bring healing! Thanks for understanding, Linda! =)
It’s hard to slow down when you’re used to moving around and getting a lot accomplished. I’ve had to applaud the little things, like doing one load of laundry, etc.
I’m reading Between these War Torn Lands, and loving it! I knew I would, because I like historical fiction set in the Civil War.
Yes! The little victories are worth celebrating. Thanks, Linda! So glad you’re enjoying Beyond These War-Torn lands. That warms my heart to hear. =)
Cynthia, you surely have been through a lot of stress lately. Now, it is time to rest your body, mind and spirit. “Be still and know that I am God.” A new friend of mine, Drew Gallagher, remembered Psalm 46:10 when he was in a stressful moment.
You know you have many friends praying for you and your husband.
This made me smile, Bonnie! Thank you! Yes. I can learn from Drew and the wisdom God showed him. Blessings as you read, dear friend. =)