I am thrilled that you stopped by Serenity in Suffering! I hope you’ll stay awhile and find refreshment for your weary heart. My vision moved me to create a place where anyone could find Peace and Purpose in the Storms of life; a safe place to rest, find hope, encouragement, inspiration, and tools for personal growth in times of trial.
While facing the cold reality of my husband’s cancer diagnosis requiring urgent surgery, which cannot be performed due to critical, life-threatening heart issues, a real life Catch 22 situation, I had one of those conversations with the Lord the other day; you know the ones where He’s clear on the directive, but short on details?
My heart eagerly moves toward obedience, but my mind races with incessant questions. Experience reminds me, obedience first, but resting in God without all the answers challenges me to walk by faith, not by sight.
Many people lament their lack of ability in hearing God speak to them regarding decisions or the need for direction in their lives. I felt much the same way for many years, until realizing I had no problem hearing God’s direction.
My problem centered on reluctance in moving forward when I still held so many unanswered questions.
The need for answers paralyzed my efforts at obedience; strapping me to a defeated walk by sight rather than by faith. A mindset that not only hindered my spiritual walk but kept me in a perpetual cycle of anxiety and control seeking.
Resting in God without all the answers seemed both my ultimate freedom and my worst nightmare.
I have no argument with my need for rest; but my understanding of what rest looks like in my days seems illusive. Gently leading me to acceptance and understanding of soul rest, God continues His perfect work in my life throughout the summer months. He calls me to a place of abandoning my what ifs, how tos, and questions; a hiding place of rest.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acknowledging my need for rest amounted to the first step only; poised on the threshold of resting in God. The next step embraced an attitude of mindful pausing, including the surrender of my own need for certainty. Fully understanding a posture of resting in God moved me closer to the soul rest I needed.
Regardless of the many definitions or ideas we entertain about rest, resting in God without all the answers requires a level of abandonment we often avoid choosing. Incorporating the following five mindful attitudes positions us for a walk based in faith, not sight.
Rest involves silence. Not outward silence; the silence in your soul. Anxiety, questions, fear, and control seeking cause soul disturbance. What needs silencing in your soul? Resting in God means silencing the noise in your soul. “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)
Rest involves stillness. The noise of emotion in your soul often speaks louder than God’s still, small voice, drawing you away from God’s Word resulting in responses of fear, shame, defensiveness or anxiety. Stillness of soul involves pausing quietly before God, so His voice speaks peace to your soul storm. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Rest involves dying to self. Choosing anxiety or worry over resting in God without all the answers cripples your faith and trust in God. Relinquishing your need for answers to all your what ifs, how tos and questions involves dying to the selfish need for control. Placing your cares in God’s hands opens the door for soul rest. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7)
Rest involves a place of quiet. Separating yourself from the noise and distraction around you, provides a place to hear and dispel the noise of your soul. Busyness keeps you in avoidance mode, unable to properly confront the true issues troubling your soul. “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” (Psalm 131:2)
Rest involves faith. Walking by faith means trusting God’s timing in His revealing all you need to know for each step of your journey. Surrendering your need for all the answers before you step out in faith leads to truly resting in God.
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Lingering in these five mindful attitudes of rest provided a nourishing respite from the soul noise stealing my peace. This place of soul rest shifted my perspective from a “need to know” all the answers before resting, to a “need to trust” God for the answers unfolding with each step of faith and obedience.
The most shocking discovery I made was encountering a level of soul rest far exceeding any foolish attempt at securing such peace for myself. Resting in God without all the answers truly held me in the safest, peace-filled, and liberating place of serenity my soul has ever known.
I was honored to participate in Vessels of Light Journal outstanding summer publication, “Message in a Bottle” digital magazine. This gorgeous issue offers poetry and essays inspired by stories of the coast. But a special section of the publication includes a collection of messages in a bottle contributed by various authors. I invite you to enjoy reading the publication HERE.
Fictional by and large, written as messages found in a bottle might appear, the collection is truly inspired. I am honored to have my letter chosen for publication in this section. A departure for me, it is a fictional offering themed from long ago, which flowed from some hidden reserve within me.
Upon completion, I still feel it has more to say; enjoy reading my letter below and respond in the comments if you would like to see me expand this into a short story or novella! Even if you think it ambitious of me to expand it, I would love to hear your feedback!
Catch up at the blog: As I watched my dog, Shalom embracing the simple joy of rolling in the cool grass, my mind wandered to the places bringing me the most joy right now. A few of the things coming to mind surprised me. Once back home, I composed a list of 7 things saving my summer life. While you may have your own list, come along and we’ll compare notes rejoicing in the goodness of God.
Saving (and Savoring) My Summer Life -Read HERE
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