As I sought rest, sun’s slanting rays sought entry into the room; too thin curtains were closed against invading brightness of a late summer’s day. I wasn’t ready to let the light in. Dark was my favourite friend for now. I lay foetal-curled away from any glare.

The legacy of the last few thundery days remained as my head resumed pounding, hyper-sensitive eyes gritty, sore. Everything throbbed painful. I couldn’t find a comfortable place to be, or know how to overcome the challenge of relaxing into rest.

Several nights had been disturbed by pain and bad dreams. And I ached to be at rest, to retrieve the sleep I’d missed. Maybe you can relate? Life has a way of keeping us wakeful.

When I tried to pray, all that came out was this plea:

“Help me, Lord. I’m so tired. Too tired to think straight or to move. Far too weary to write or to pray. Exhausted and unable to rise from this bed. All I can do is lay here and surrender to You”.

And these are the words God whispered back...

Prayer Whisper: Relax into rest

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“At last, My child. That’s all I ask of you. Lay your burdens and cares at My feet. Let Me carry them for you. Allow Me to carry you and hold you safe.

This is a time for rest. It’s a season of surrender. A time to have communion with Me. I see and feel your fatigue as though it were My own, and I take account of your pain and bear that for you too.

I want to whisper words of comfort to your hurting soul because I know how much you dread this slide into seeming nothingness. Because I see how hard it is to give up trying and striving to achieve. But your own human effort has flattened you physically and emotionally to the point of great depletion.

You need to let go and let God. Allow Me to reveal what is required of you and what I will do. Because I see your daily struggles and I know your heart to serve and help others. How you want to build them up with encouragement.

Now it’s time for you to rest, recover and receive for yourself. We have some sacred soul time to spend together. Come, My weary child, lean on Me. I won’t lay anything heavy or burdensome upon you. There is no need to fear.

Take my hand and relax into rest. Let Me gentle you with My Love as I rejoice over you with singing. You are precious to Me whether busy or stilled, and beautiful in your brokenness. My heart is full to overflowing with love for you. Learn to believe and receive it as I long for you to do”.

Restful encouragement

I clutched at these words like a dying woman reaching for her last drink, and finally relaxed into rest, grateful for the words I’d received. They truly soothed my soul.

Friend, my hope and prayer is that you too may be blessed by this message, take it to heart and lean into the healing grace and strength of the Lord today as He holds you close.

Because we all have times when God calls us to a deeper abiding in Him, to relax into His rest. Simply because it’s the very best thing we can do. And the Sabbath is one way in which God puts a pausing place into our week, as He asks us to rest and seek Him above anything.

I received these words over a week ago, but they were written out slowly, waiting their time to be aired when available energy was present. Because resting in mind and body is still very much where I’m at with a bit of a relapse in my M.E symptoms. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible! Thank you for your grace. 🙂

I’m sharing these restful thoughts over at Barbie’s place for Weekend Whispers.

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