He Will Give You Rest

As many of you know, I have been sick for a while now. The details are unimportant but I have been unable to eat much therefore leaving me with little energy so I've been stuck in bed for almost three weeks now. It's been weird having so much quiet time, it's amazing how many thoughts I just shove back in my mind when I'm busy. When the silence set in I realized they were all still there, and they became louder than before. I lay there in bed as the thoughts swirl around in my head and begin to suffocate me. I feel as if I'm drowning amidst a sea of my own thoughts, fears, and regrets and just as I feel them pull me under, I hear a voice. It's quiet at first then it grows louder until it is booming in my ears. It doesn't hurt though, it doesn't scare me like yelling does. Though it's loud and powerful it is gentle, kind, and reassuring.  I know the voice. It is familiar, like a song you have heard a million times but you've never listened to the lyrics before. It is familiar and old, yet new and exciting all at the same time.  I know who the voice belongs to. There is no question in my mind. I have talked to Him before, many times. But there is something new in his voice and I love it. It brings such joy and comfort and...hope back into my life, like a warm hug from your Daddy when you fall and scrape your knee. He speaks such peace and warmth into my life. I have heard the verses before but they take new meaning now. They are personal, they mean something to me. They are no longer just words but rather a message. A message of hope. Verse like Matthew 11:28-30 become more than just a Bible verse to memorize.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”"  He will give me rest..." I ponder those words over and over in my mind. Maybe rest isn't all bad. Maybe if I stop listening to my own thoughts and listen to His instead I won't be overwhelmed, confused and scared. It is cool to think about. Imagining God pulling me out of the whirlpool of deafening thoughts that trapped me, taking each burdening regret off of me, and drying my fear soaked clothes until I am new, clean, and dry. Leading me through the quiet places that are now peaceful instead of eerie.  I now enjoy the quiet times with Him learning and listening to what He has to say as I lay in bed too weak to stand. He is reminding me that even when I am weak on my own, He is strong. He will hold and guide me as I walk through this shadow of death and through Him I will fear no evil.