2023 has been a year of spiritual and mental growth, but there have been many valleys. There have been times throughout the year when I have felt like I was on top of the mountain, and there were also times I was confused, frustrated, anxious, and overwhelmingly sad. When these emotions would come, I felt like maybe I wasn't doing something "right," and I often tried to do more, to try and distract from the emotions I was feeling; if you know me, you know I hate just sitting at home for a day and resting. As I went through the beginning of the year, I found comfort in the verse from Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
I was reminded of this verse again when my husband lost his job. I didn't know what to feel, but as I sat in the work parking lot feeling all the emotions, I heard the verse Proverbs 3:5 playing repeatedly. Within minutes I felt a peace I have never felt before amid one of the more stressful times of my life. Through the next couple of months, there were good days, and there were days I was still frustrated, and I forgot to rest. One day I woke up with weights on my chest and felt like I couldn't get out of bed, I could feel Jesus telling me to rest, but I went to work; the same thing happened the next day. Wednesday came, and I finally listened and I rested. I slept in, read a book, and everything felt more manageable before the day ended. Jesus, throughout these setbacks this year, was always faithful and always will be. When I was overwhelmingly sad and suffering from burnout, he told me to rest; when I was confused and frustrated, He constantly reminded me of his promise. The promise that he will not forsake us, that even when I don't understand what is happening, I can have peace knowing that I can trust the Lord.
If you have been facing setbacks, I want to encourage you to take a day to rest and lean into the promise our God gave us; that we can trust in him.
