The Power of Rest

Gazing out our back window at the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Linda and I look at each other in utter amazement that God orchestrated our move to Colorado Springs! Linda continues to hobble around in a protective boot on her right foot and though we both weathered the Covid storm, we still wrestle with fatigue. Yet God showed me something this week about rest.

Watching wildlife is one of my favorite pastimes and I especially love watching eagles soar on such lofty heights. They always seem so majestic, unhindered, and unphased by life. While wrestling with an ongoing case of pneumonia, I lingered in Isaiah 40:29-31 Amp and found great hope and encouragement:

He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who has no might He increases power.
Even youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power. They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.

Because I can’t fix my condition, I must simply work when I can and rest when I feel exhausted. Quite honestly, it’s challenging work resting when there is so much to do! Yet I know that if I am to fully recover I must choose to employ the power of rest. To keep a cheerful outlook, I focus not on the storm in my life, but on the One who rules over every stormy sea we encounter.

So, dear YRL friend, what troubles you this week? What issue in your health, relationships, or finances tries to keep you pegged to the earth instead of soaring on wings of eagles with God’s strength?

When you feel weighed down and heavily encumbered, select a few key Bible verses to claim in your time of distress. Choose to look back and see how God has faithfully brought you through struggles in the past. Finally, reach out to your close friends and ask them to join you in prayer that God would lift you on the wings of eagles.

Please let us know how we can pray for you.