Hey.
You there. Feeling overwhelmed; trying not to cry. This is for you.
I know that you're so, so tired.
I know what's going through your mind right now, and I know that it's all jumbled up and confused and you've given up trying to make sense of things. I know that you feel that everything is going wrong and that you're further than ever from where you want to be. I know that you're exhausted trying to keep up with your racing thoughts as you struggle to work out what to do next; what to say, where to go, what to think, what your next move should be.
I have a message for you.
You're not on your own. I know what you're going through and I am right there with you, even in the dark. I never lose my way, and I will not allow you to be lost either, because you are my beloved child.
'...even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.'
Psalm 139:12
You know when they tell you that the darkest hour is just before dawn, and that at the moment that you think you simply can't keep going any longer - that's when daylight might break over the horizon?
I want you to learn to breathe, even when it's dark. I want to show you how to be so calm, so still, that you can see the pinpricks of light in the night sky. I want to show you the stars.
I'm teaching you about trust.
When you are still enough, close enough, you can learn to find beauty even when your eyes cannot make out anything else. There is beauty in the dark too, because I am there.
I see you agitated because you can't see, because you don't know. I see you struggle to make sense of life, trying with all your mind to understand things that are out of your control.
Stop. Be still. I will fight for you.
'The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14
There are times for dynamic action. When you can see the path ahead and you know what you need to do, these are full-speed-ahead times. There are other times when I want you to do nothing. Times to hide in the shadow of my wing. You're always asking me what to do, but doing is not always what is necessary. Sometimes I want you to stop, just sit with me for a while.
When it's dark and confusing your instinct to rush off can cause you to trip over things, to dash off in the wrong direction and I would save you that.
'Be still and know that I am God.'Stop thinking that it all depends on you. You are not responsible for other people. You're not responsible for their happiness, or their success, or their opinion of you. You answer to me and me only, and I say - stop. Just for a while.
Psalm 46:10
Stop striving. None of your dreams depends on you. I have the keys to all the doors that you wish would swing open in front of you and my timing is perfect. I see the end from the beginning - I know the damage that would be done if I gave you all that you ask for when you ask for it. I know you.
Maybe the dawn is just approaching, or maybe the night will go on for a while yet; that's up to me. I will work it all out for good. If the darkness persists, then I want you to come close to me and hold on tightly.
Wait.
'But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not be faint.'
Isaiah 40:31
I want you to rest and listen to the beat of my heart, feel the warmth of my arms around you, draw strength from my strength. If you are still enough, if you put aside the hopes and fears and worries and lean into me, you'll hear my voice whispering to you in the dark. Listen to me. I speak words of truth. I guide you. I prepare you. I inspire you.
I will give you the strength to carry on.
I will never leave you in the dark.
With my love
Jesus
"I want you to learn to breathe, even when it's dark."
ReplyDeleteThis is very Beautiful Helen, so many words that need to be heard and so much truth. It's a wonderful thing that YHWH is teaching you trust, we need it as our breath and not to rely on our human lungs - He is the Breath of Life.
Thank you for sharing - you can see your note aline because I share similar thoughts over here
http://ontheroadtohealing.org.uk/blog/2014/02/17/dark-vortex-of-despair/
Thanks Florence. I'll check it out. x
DeleteBeautiful as always Helen...and as someone who is coming out of a very tiring and stressful two years and can testify to how God has carried me through those times...rest in Him folks and listen to Aunty Helen...!
ReplyDeleteLynn
Lynn, thank you. I'm glad that the daylight is dawning, my friend.
DeleteLovely, lovely...Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome. Thank you for visiting and leaving a lovely comment.
Delete'Stop. Be still. I will fight for you.
ReplyDelete'The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'Exodus 14:14' - I needed this. I know I always say it, but you so just seem to write exactly what I need to read, just at the right time. Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it with us (even if it was late ;-) )
Better late than never.... thank you, Ruth. You pick inspiring prompts. :-)
DeleteParts of that spoke straight into my heart (well all of it actually but especially the links to darkness at night and the word 'trust' which I feel God has been trying to tell me for a while now). Thank you xxx
ReplyDelete'Trust' is my word for the year. God sort of took me at my word and on so many levels this year has been a year where I've had no real choice but to trust Him...
DeleteThanks so much for reading and leaving such an encouraging comment.
'Stop thinking that it all depends on you.' Now there's a message for us all. Thanks, Helen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fran. Sometimes I tend to believe that I'm the one who keeps the world spinning. Actually, there's very little that I can control.
DeleteWhat a fabulous post, such a great way with words. Thanks, Mich x
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanks for reading and being so lovely.
DeleteHitting the spot--as always. If I'm still enough, if I lean in and listen...I'll hear Him. Blessings to you, friend-across-the-sea.
ReplyDeleteAnd also you. Lots of love, Ginger.
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