Cease Striving

As the word Amen slipped from my mouth, closing my quiet time, my gaze drifted to the woods in my backyard. I caught myself staring at the tall grass swaying in the winter breeze and my eyes filled with tears. I am embarrassed to say that I have been very emotional the past few days. I feel like that grass being tossed around by my windy emotions.

I have allowed the demands of life and my own expectations to get the best of me, causing me to become very vulnerable to anxiety, disappointment, and hurt. Frankly, rather than seeking God's approval, I have put too high an emphasis on man's approval.

I am ready to begin another chapter in my life and I sense a calling, but I have no direction. I tried to pave my own way but it proved futile.

And so I am hitting the pause button. I am releasing my own expectations and allowing myself to be still.

Oh the joy of letting go! How good it feels to simply sit and allow God to speak. 

Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nation, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

 

Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;

God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;

Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.

 

Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God's own smile,

His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;

Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.

 

Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so,

He hath a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;

Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.

 

Dear restless heart, repose upon His breast this hour,

His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;

Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.

 

Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;

God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;

Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.     by Edith Willis Linn