Got Rest?

 

Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6: 31

We can become physically, emotionally and spiritually drained by giving too much time to people, churches or work. How can you know if you are giving too much? Anger, resentment, bitterness, and exhaustion are good thermometers. WE NEED BALANCE.

In order to take charge of our lives and be ready for what GOD has for us, we have to learn to say 'no' sometimes. Don't fear rejection, being passed over, or missing out for times you have to say 'no'. Use those times instead as times of refueling and resting.

We have to be ready in season and out for what God has for us and we can't if we're a 'yes' person that does whatever others want us to do. I.e.,  no people pleasing, people ... because we can't be everything to everyone all the time ... only God can.

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

The key to avoiding burn-out in any area of your life is balance. Honor God’s laws of physical rest and learn to say 'no' to overwork, demanding people and guilt. Be led today BY GOD ... and no longer fear or beat yourself up for times that He sets you aside for rest ... be human and enjoy it.

Father, we pray for true rest … trusting in You. Help us to know Your voice, when to say ‘yes’ to people and when to say ‘no’ without fears or guilt. Help us to rest in You, knowing You have a good plan for our lives and those around us. Don’t pass us over when You have an assignment because we’re too exhausted to even lift a finger. Give us rest, refuel us, refresh us. In Jesus’ name, amen.



Related AFTA blogs:
The Enemy of Busyness
A Real Rest

YES, THIS IS FOR YOU

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I WILL NOT forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15,16

Your family and friends may have forgotten about you, BUT GOD hasn't ... His silence does not mean absence.

You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now. Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open. My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in (and adopted me as His child). Psalm 27:9,10

What you do/don't do, who approves/disapproves of you, what 'they' think/say about you, whether 'they' thank/appreciate you or how 'they' treat you DOES NOT define you ... you ARE loved, you ARE wanted, you DO matter and you ARE special because of who you are, the best you that you can be.

You ARE NOT just taking up space ... you ARE here for a reason and you ARE a blessing to MANY. Enjoy your life as you learn why through trial and error. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Father, thank You that despite hurtful rejections from our family, our friends, and the world, You take us up and adopt us as Your own and take care of us. Bring healing to our hurting hearts. Help us to forgive. May the things that life and people have inflicted on us not break us or stop us from the good plans that You have for us. Thank You that we are accepted by You and included in Your family. In Jesus' name, amen.





See related blog of mine:
We're His Kids
DON'T Self-Harm Because of a Relationship
Sister Christian
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Hands Off

Most Have Had a Hard Life

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other greater commandment than these. Mark 12:30,31

You are a LOT stronger, a LOT smarter and MORE beautiful than you think you are. Do not settle for less than. Do not be gullible or allow people to take advantage of you.

STOP PUTTING YOURSELF DOWN. You are special. You are valuable. And God certainly doesn't make junk. I used to think so little of myself that I would put myself down before others got the chance to hurt me. I reinforced low self-esteem. I did not need any help. When my abuser came along, they did not have to knock me down, I already was down and they fed on that and took advantage. Things others had spoken over me, I spoke over me and the enemy whispered to me sucked me into a 10 year relationship hell. Know that most of the time they at first say and do all the right things and once you are hooked then they turn into someone you do not even recognize anymore.

ABUSERS FEED OFF OF VULNERABILITY AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM. It is better to be alone, I promise, I know. Abuse can be mental, physical, neglect, etc. Abusers do not change. They progressively get worse. And they will separate you from friends, family anyone who cares or could help. Control, intimidation, domination and manipulation are tools of the devil and are used in witchcraft to lead you away from God. FOLLOW GOD and His Way only, all other ways lead to destruction.

ABUSE IS NOT NORMAL AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SILENT

GET HELP NOW
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1−800−799−SAFE http://www.thehotline.org

Thank God for His mercy and grace. I found freedom when He met me in my mess and shared with me from the Word who I am IN HIM. There REALLY IS life after abuse. Hold your head high. Shake off the shame. Jesus says YOU ARE WORTHY. If you are being abused, get help. If you are headed down that road thru low self-esteem, run the opposite direction and let the love of God set you free. You were made in Gods image, to bring Him glory. Be a slave to NO OTHER.

MOST OF US HAVE HAD A HARD LIFE. Being hurt is NO EXCUSE or REASON to hurt and abuse us. Those who abuse need to get over it, man up, and do the right thing. Treat each other with love and respect.

Father, help us to see ourselves as You see us. Help us to be able to face ourselves, live with ourselves, and love ourselves in a healthy way. Help us to have healthy relationships and remove us from those that are unhealthy. Protect us from all harm. Cover us with Your Blood, Lord Jesus. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Related blog entries of mine:

 

Do You Hate Yourself? (part of my story)

Don't Look Back - Enough is Enough (part of my story)

There's Power in Knowing Who You are in Christ

 

 

 

Life Can Be Really Hard Sometimes

I will exalt you, Lord, for You rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones. Praise His holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:1-5

I know it’s hard to see past the pain, but PLEASE don’t hurt yourself. Talk to Jesus, a friend, a parent, a pastor, a teacher or call 1-800-273-TALK.

You ARE worth it. Regardless of how heavy life gets. Tomorrow just might be the day of your turnaround.

Father, help us to call out to You when we're in need. Divinely give us what we need or work through Your people to help us. Put people in our path who care. Give us hope to continue on. May we keep on keeping on. In Jesus' name, amen.


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Related blog entries of mine:

Has Today Been a Hard Day?
Don't Self Harm
Encourage Yourself in the Lord