Winter has arrived and my soul knows it. I've felt lethargic, unmotivated, uninspired, stuck, tired, heavy, discontent, and generally in a semi-depressed state. Not real depression but a place where you know you are slipping downward. It's been a battle to keep from sinking too deep.
I was encouraged recently by studying snow-laden branches outside our living room windows. The snow not only lay heavy on the branches but was embedded in the pine needles, a picture of how penetrating this soulish weight feels. Knowing snow is a good thing, bringing much needed moisture, I wondered if I could find anything good in the cold "chill" inside my heart.
What is this weight I bear? It's waiting, a time when I want to GO and DO, but God's saying "Sit still, hibernate a while." I need to stop resisting the wait and bend, like a weighted branch, submitting till I find contentment with it. It's discontent that breeds depression. Contentment allows God to do what He wants even if it's sitting still. Contentment is not gritting your teeth till the wait is over, but being at peace with it till there's no fight in it. The verses I've chosen for this battle are these. (Maybe you need them too.)
"In returning and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). I say this aloud every morning and follow it by saying, "I am confident that ___" filling in the blank as many times as I can.
"I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased [live humbly] and I know how to abound [live in prosperity]. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to...abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13). I follow that by saying, "I am content with ___" again, filling in the blank numerous times.
I'll remember that waiting is not an inactive exercise. God is always working for my good, and I am working at increasing in patience, contentment, and a new level of trust. Hmmm, I think I feel that snow melting a little.
I was encouraged recently by studying snow-laden branches outside our living room windows. The snow not only lay heavy on the branches but was embedded in the pine needles, a picture of how penetrating this soulish weight feels. Knowing snow is a good thing, bringing much needed moisture, I wondered if I could find anything good in the cold "chill" inside my heart.
What is this weight I bear? It's waiting, a time when I want to GO and DO, but God's saying "Sit still, hibernate a while." I need to stop resisting the wait and bend, like a weighted branch, submitting till I find contentment with it. It's discontent that breeds depression. Contentment allows God to do what He wants even if it's sitting still. Contentment is not gritting your teeth till the wait is over, but being at peace with it till there's no fight in it. The verses I've chosen for this battle are these. (Maybe you need them too.)
"In returning and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). I say this aloud every morning and follow it by saying, "I am confident that ___" filling in the blank as many times as I can.
"I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased [live humbly] and I know how to abound [live in prosperity]. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to...abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13). I follow that by saying, "I am content with ___" again, filling in the blank numerous times.
I'll remember that waiting is not an inactive exercise. God is always working for my good, and I am working at increasing in patience, contentment, and a new level of trust. Hmmm, I think I feel that snow melting a little.