I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue since 2005. This means that my energy is always very limited. Exhaustion often forces me to rest, regardless of what I want, or need, to do.
Until today, I have always understood ‘rest’ as time spent sitting down, or being in bed.
However, to my astonishment, God has now shown me that rest can also be a state of mind, and even a way of life.
With this approach, whether or not I am active, living restfully means noticing my sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they occur, acknowledging their reality without judgement, then sharing them simply and honestly with God.
Hopefully, this process will teach me how I need to change in order to live more restfully, so I can be at peace with myself, with God, with others, and the world.
Sin is crouching at your door;
it desires to have you,
but you must rule over it
(Genesis 4:7; NIV).
1. Temptation comes
When our desires
Entice, then drag, us
To the place
2. Where they give birth
To sinful thoughts,
And words, and deeds
That hide God’s face.
3. Yet, as we stumble
In the dark,
He helps us to resist,
Through grace.
References
1. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away (James 1:14; NLT).
2. These desires give birth to sinful actions (James 1:15; NLT).
Their thoughts are sinful thoughts (Isaiah 59:7; CSB).
I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me (Psalm 51:3; NIV).
Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you (Isaiah 59:2; NKJV).
3. If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God (Isaiah 50:10; NLT).
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13; NASB).
My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; NLT).
1. You know me so well, Lord,
And see all I do.
You know me in full,
Having watched, as I grew.
2. You know me so well,
For you hear all I say,
And help me to govern
My tongue every day.
3. You know me so well,
For you read every thought,
And help me to capture each one,
As I ought.
4. You know me so well,
For you sense how I feel.
You live in my heart,
Where you share each ordeal.
5. You know how I suffer,
And help me to cope.
You stay by my side,
Bringing comfort and hope.
6. You know all that happens
To me every day.
You see how I stumble
On your narrow way.
7. You know me completely,
And love me so well,
Although I am nothing –
A frail, empty shell.
8. You always know best,
So I bow to your will,
Accepting whatever you send,
Good or ill.
🤎
References
1. All that I now know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12; NLT).
2. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4; NIV).
The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:6-8; NLT).
3. You perceive my thoughts from afar (Psalm 139:2; NIV).
We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).
4. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; NIV).
The Lord sees every heart and knows every plan (1 Chronicles 28:9; NLT).
You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).
In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).
5. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested (Hebrews 2:18; NLT).
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).
6. The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race (Psalm 14:2; NLT).
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37:24; NIV).
The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; NASB).
7. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me (Psalm 139:1; NIV).
He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust (Psalm 103:14; NLT).
Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence! (Psalm 89:47; NLT).
8. God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20; NLT).
I send good times and bad times (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).
Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).
1. Touch my body,
Bind each wound,
For I am faint,
My strength, consumed.
2. Touch my mind,
Correct each thought,
Until I realise
I am naught.
3. Touch my heart,
Yoke me to good,
And fill me with
Your perfect love.
4. Touch my soul,
Make me like Christ
Your Son –
A living sacrifice.
🖤
References
1. He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds (Hosea 6:1; NIV).
My life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed (Psalm 31:10; KJV).
2. The Lord corrects those he loves (Proverbs 3:12; NLT).
I am nothing but dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27; NIV).
3. Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19; NIV).
We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:5; NLT).
4. The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
So, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1; NLT).
Lord God,
Please help me
To love you with all my heart,
Share every thought with you,
Draw all my strength from you,
Unite my soul with yours,
And serve you as best I can
Throughout today.
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
References
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind (Luke 10:27; NLT).
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV).
Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6; NLT).
You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).
Pour out your heart to him (Psalm 62:8; NLT).
The Lord God is my strength (Isaiah 12:2; NLT).
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16; NIV).
