A little note for the stressed, the frazzled, the uncertain.
RELAX, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
Did you know it actually says this in the Bible? In more than one place (Jude 1, Lamentations 3:57 MSG)
Someone, in my life, used to tell me this often and I believed it. I believed it with all my heart. So much so that I worried 1000% less. When those words dried up, so did my belief. With a lot of heart work (also reads: hard work), I saw that I cannot rely on this type of promise from a person.
Still, I felt the void. Shaky and unsure. I wanted to hear those words. I wanted to hear them so I could believe.
There is only one who can truly make good on this type of promise.
Only God.
And wouldn’t you know, in my uncertainty God gave me the words, IN WRITING, that I longed to hear. The words I believe we all long to hear so that we can believe:
RELAX, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
These words are for you, in your uncertainty too.
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Not sure how you are going to get everything done by Christmas? Relax…everything is going to be alright.
Not sure how you are going to make ends meet? Relax…everything is going to be alright.
Did your kid come up to you and say, “Mom you look like an old lady….but close up you are a pretty lady.”? (Ok, maybe that was just my twelve-year-old, yesterday—OY!). Relax…everything is going to be alright.
Does everything feel like it is changing? Relax…everything is going to be alright.
Not sure how that relationship will be mended? Relax…everything is going to be alright.
The reason we can relax, when everything looks, feels, seems like it is not alright, Lovely One, is because the God of the universe has got your back. He is “a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked. (Psalm 9:9-10 MSG).
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I’ve been frazzled. Like constantly fretting with the words, “I don’t know how I’m going to get it all done” trailing out of my mouth. I wish I could share picture-perfect holiday inspiration of my home, but I don’t have any. I have a simple glittering tree full of memory ornaments (nothing trendy or internet worthy). I have a fun advent calendar for the kids (it’s not homemade). I have a harried mind working overtime in order to get my work done and presents bought (within a budget). I have underlying unresolved life stressors that don’t take a holiday during the holidays. I have a broken family and I feel it so tangibly in November and December.
I know myself enough to know that I was heading for a crash, so this morning before I jumped on my giant to-do list, before I wrangled the kids (already on Christmas break) I sat with my Bible. I needed to see these words in writing:
RELAX, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
God, kindly, reminded me of the life he calls us to live: a Faith-Rest Life (Hebrews 2 TPT).
When I hear (see) those words I believe them. This is what brings rest. It’s not always a kick your feet up and watch Hallmark Holiday movies kind of rest. It’s better. It’s an internal respite. A confidence that someone is working on my behalf. Since He is at work–I can rest.
So what do we do? We have literal responsibilities!
We believe and do what this gem of a verse (which I just found, today) says:
“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.” (Daniel 12:13 MSG).
RELAX, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
Don’t take my word for it. Take HIS!