Restore
The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. 1 Peter 5:10
Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23
Insight
I wouldn't refer to myself as an expert on something, though my propensity for overthinking is one I've mastered. Choosing to be deeply involved in community, parenting four and five-year-old boys, and always seeking moments to engage and connect with others can leave me in a space to overthink every word, feeling, and interaction. Finding myself in the grips of overthinking also turns inward, which has made engaging in the process of the personal retreat and My One Word a unique challenge for me.
At the end of 2021, I decided to face my battle with overthinking head-on. I didn't need to think or wait for my word for 2022; I needed to start the year off strong with the word FOCUS. I was sure of this; it was non-negotiable. God was going to rid me of overthinking because I told HIM He would.
It might also help to know that I was walking through a difficult time physically and emotionally at that point in the year. I had recently met with an oral surgeon and was processing the news that at 33, there was only one option left to control the infection I had been dealing with for years: to reconstruct my mouth fully. They would remove everything, rebuild the bone, and I would become the youngest person I knew with permanent dentures. I was heartbroken and scared, so I was clinging to whatever I could control- thus my stubbornness in skipping reflection and deciding what God would do for me.
Have you ever told God He was going to do something for you? I think you can imagine how well that went over. Bless my heart.
I was determined, though, so I spent days flipping through my Bible, searching for verses to back up my word, and ironically, I couldn't focus enough to find a single one. I spent time in prayer and worship, and not once did I find validation in the word focus. Instead, the lyrics of each song, over and over again, spoke to God holding us where we are, forming us, and renewing our lives in Him. After another series of searching and prayer, the theme remained the same, and this was when I entered into a moment of surrender, and the word RESTORE became the tool that God would use to carry me through the year.
Now, as I stand on the other side of 2022, I see clearly how God had big lessons to teach me through my word. I experienced God restore relationships in incredible ways. I witnessed God restore faith in areas that felt unreachable. I encountered restored peace and joy. I felt a beautiful restoration of health and self-confidence, and He further restored confidence in who I am in HIM, loved and cherished and whole.
Reflection
Where do you find yourself overthinking?
How can you stop this vicious cycle by bringing your worries and concerns to Christ?
Prayer
God, You are the loving Father I need. Thank you for Your purpose and the sweet moments of grace You pour into my life. It can be easy to overthink each moment of every day and fall into stubborn plans of my own, yet You remain steadfast and faithful, here waiting on me when I open my heart to seek Your will. Lord, help me to remember to live a life fully restored, to thrive and joyfully seek You in all that I do. Amen.
Rachel Smith, Welcome & Connect Coordinator at the Leland Campus, wrote today's devotional.