"For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Have you ever fought hard against what your body is trying to tell you?
The chronic illness says slow down, but you push past your limit to please others.
The anxiety weighing on your heart tells you to take time to understand the root cause, but you feel guilty.
The tears you shove down beg you to stop and listen, but you're afraid of what they might have to say.
Why is it difficult to permit ourselves to stop pushing so hard, to say, "no "or "I need to take a break"?
Sometimes, a war rages within me because I desire to serve others well, but the overwhelm in my body says otherwise. Shame attaches itself to the symptoms in my body that limit my capacity. I tell myself, "Why can't I get it together? If I was a better Christian, I could handle more."
I want to fill the needs around me. I don't want to be selfish. And if I'm being honest, I don't want other people to think I'm being selfish either. But what if taking care of our health mentally, spiritually, and physically isn't selfish? What if it's a God-given season that beckons our surrender?
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "for everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven."
Our God is a God of seasons; He has appointed a specific time for everything, including a time to heal (Ecclesiastes 3:3). The Hebrew word rapha (to heal) means to mend by stitching, to cure, to make whole. It also implies spiritual restoration from the impact of sin.
The pace of this world isn't conducive to this kind of healing. Slowing down will require an intentional effort; I will need to set boundaries and say "no" to some good and noble things. However, my pride, people-pleasing, or fear of getting it wrong often keep me from doing so.
Yet, a season of healing isn't wrong. It is an opportunity to take a step back and listen to what God wants to teach me. It's a time to let God mend the broken places in my heart that have tried to make themselves known through the brokenness in my body.
And it doesn't mean I have to stop using my gifts to serve others. Undoubtedly, God calls us to be good stewards of the gifts He's given us by serving others in love (1 Peter 4:10), but it might look different for a season.
A time of healing might make us hidden, but we can still serve in the quiet spaces most people will never see. God sees that impactful text we send to a hurting friend, the intercessory prayers we pray, or the way we love our family in the quiet spaces of our home.
So precious friend, whether you are burdened by grief, a health crisis, or unresolved mental anguish, it's okay to take time out of your busy life to heal. Instead of ignoring the symptoms and signs, I pray we would surrender to a season of healing-no matter what people may think.
We can let go of our false sense of control because God holds everything together (Colossians 1:17), not us. May we open our hands and let God's grace soak in, trusting that He'll make all things beautiful in their time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Questions to Ask:
In what areas of your life is God calling you to slow down so You can focus on healing? What pain in your mind, body, or spirit do you need to surrender to Him today?
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Beautiful truths, thank you for being honest and real! Sometimes we believe we need permission to take intentional time away from the cares of the world to heal our souls in His Love and perfect care!
Oh Beth, this resonates with me! Fear and anxiety over past and current traumas threatened to take me down last year. I ended up in the ER with a stomach ulcer. I have Godly friends, but I didn’t know who to turn to with everything I was dealing with. It seemed to overwhelming to put on them. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried. Then I felt the Lord calling me to slow down and finally process my lifetime of emotional abuse so I could finally heal. The ongoing stress of my son needing a kidney has been hard, too. But God is moving. Praying we are close to finding a donor. I also am a writer, but am just starting to use that creative part of me for the first time in many years. Thank you for this! Blessings to you and your beautiful family. We raised two boys. It looks like you have 3! Enjoy them!
Lori, I am so grateful to God that this resonated with you. I am so sorry for the weight that is on your shoulders right now. I know it can be hard to know how to share your burdens with others when it all feels like so much. Processing trauma is exhausting and hard. I pray the Lord would heal your heart and mind. I pray He would carry you during this difficult time. And I pray that he would bring a donor for your son and comfort your weary mama heart. Keep going, sweet friend. God often uses our greatest struggles to bring hope to others. You will write that story in due time, I’m sure. Love, Beth