Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 TPT
In last week’s update, I mentioned allowing the Lord and others to take care of you. In light of Valentine’s Day and this ‘month of love’, let’s explore this further. I think we all could use a little more true TLC.
It’s easy for us to forget that Jesus came so we could live life to the fullest, in abundance and freedom! Our day-to-day tasks and the unexpected demands of the day can quickly steal our joy and sense of a full life. This is why we’re called to REMAIN in Him, not just stay close and reach out as needed. We need to REMAIN in Him, like a branch attached to the Vine.
John Eldridge in his 30 Days to Resilient program within the Pause App states our need for ‘union with God’. He goes further to present practicing the regular rhythm of ‘benevolent detachment’, which involves giving everyone and everything to Jesus throughout our day. Why? To create space for our soul to breathe, rest, and be taken care of.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Regardless what season I’m in, this passage above always resonates with my soul. This world around us continues to battle for our lives, our rhythms, our company and our rest. But Jesus changes everything.
Let’s stop carrying the burdens of this world in our own strength. We can’t cling to bitterness or anxiety. Release resentment and release ourselves from others and their own burdens. Let’s acknowledge our feelings and hurts and give them to Him. Let’s remain in His love, His joy, and His peace, ‘pouring out all our worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for us’.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are LOVE, and in this love, they can take better care of us than we can ask, think, or imagine. We must first give ourselves some tender loving care, and the best way we can care for ourselves is stepping into His love triangle. Then we get to take care of those around us, but we should only do so from a place of abundance, freely and lightly. We can admit that we only want to be cared for by someone doing so out of abundance and freedom, not judgment, negativity, or guilt. We CAN carry one another burdens in a healthy way but only because He is carrying us. Create some soul space today and rest in His truth, mercy, and grace.
I realize some of this sounds vague and is content you’ve likely heard before. I pray that you can personalize it with Him and experience His love for you today. Here are a few ideas:
- Song of Songs 2:10-15 TPT: I love this passage from Song of Songs in The Passion Translation, and I encourage you to make some soul space and slowly read through it as the Jesus, the Shepherd King, speaks directly to you.
- No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus by Steffany Gretzinger: Below the scripture is a link to a beautiful song as well. May you experience His tender loving care in a new way.
- The Wellness Revelation Bible Plan: Those beginning the Holy Barre Instructor Training program will begin this 40-Day YouVersion plan this Wednesday, Feb 7. We’d love for you to join us as we explore how we can truly take care of ourselves. Click HERE to join.
- Deeper Wells: For more opportunities and ways to discover deeper wells of His Living Water for our thirsty souls, visit the Deeper Wells website and follow up on Instagram: @deeperwellsok
The Shepherd-King
The one I love calls to me:
Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling.
Come away with me!
I have come as you have asked
to draw you to my heart and lead you out.
For now is the time, my beautiful one.
The season has changed,
the bondage of your barren winter has ended,
and the season of hiding is over and gone.
The rains have soaked the earth
and left it bright with blossoming flowers.
The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived.
I hear the cooing of doves in our land,
filling the air with songs to awaken you
and guide you forth.
Can you not discern this new day of destiny
breaking forth around you?
The early signs of my purposes and plans
are bursting forth.
The budding vines of new life
are now blooming everywhere.
The fragrance of their flowers whispers,
“There is change in the air.”
Arise, my love, my beautiful companion,
and run with me to the higher place.
For now is the time to arise and come away with me.
For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock.
It was I who took you and hid you up high
in the secret stairway of the sky.
Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice.
How beautiful your eyes of worship
and lovely your voice in prayer.
You must catch the troubling foxes,
those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship.
For they raid our budding vineyard of love
to ruin what I’ve planted within you.
Will you catch them and remove them for me?
We will do it together.
Song of Songs 2:10-15 TPT
Burning Bright! 