I have had many seasons of feeling restless over the years and my closest friends can tell when I’m in that season. I’m a bit whiny, mellow dramatic, scattered and at times undone that I cannot for the life of me figure out what I should be doing. Most of the times when I feel restless it is usually about a job, whether or not I should be at the church I am going to, or deciding if I am living in the right city. Am I too comfortable? Do I need a change? Should I stay where I am? Why do I feel restless and why do these feelings come so often? I feel the weight of many unanswered questions circle my mind daily. It can be exhausting.
Maybe you are there too?
Once again I’m in that place of restlessly trying to figure out what is next. This time around though, I am not feeling anxious. Like many seasons before, the anxiety of wanting to make the right decisions, looking for what is next and feeling like I am stuck are not as prevalent. I am at peace living with the restless tension. I have learned not to be so anxious to move ahead of where I am at currently.
I have been constantly reminding myself of this verse: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 ESV)
When I stop being anxious about the next steps and start being thankful for where God has me at this point in my life is where I learn that it is okay to wrestle with that tension of not really knowing the next step. That is where I find peace. I believe at times I forget that when I walk through these times that I can cry out to the Lord for the answers to my questions. Even if it seems like He is silent, He is speaking. I just have to be quiet to hear Him.
There is a song that I love by the band, Sidewalk Prophets called “Help Me Find It”. The chorus of the song brought me to tears one day as I was driving down the road wrestling with the questions and not having answers. This chorus has become a prayer that I pray when I walk through a season of restlessness.
If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it
So whatever His will is, I seek God and ask Him to help me find it and to be still so that I am able to hear what He is speaking to me. I thank the Lord that He has me right where He wants me and He will guide my every step. God is not caught off guard by my questions. I want to be thankful for each season I go through.
If you are going through a restless time and feeling stuck, I understand. Be encouraged that it is just a season and you will find the answers.
Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful for certain seasons…thanks for the reminder that all seasons are temporary and ever changing.
It is hard to be grateful. Love you, Heather and praying for you!
Thanks for this reminder, Becky! I needed this today. It’s so easy to move on and change your circumstances, but hard to sit back and examine whether God really wants you to move on or whether you just need to rest in him. Good stuff. 😉
Nancy, You are welcome! It is hard and something I have struggled for years with this issue.
I swear you and I have parallel lives sometimes. I truly get this season. It’s hard to be patient in this particular season. I’ve talked about this before and recently a friend and I were talking about Exodus 14:14. The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still. But it’s not a passive stillness. It’s a very active coming before the Lord to be quiet and wait. Praying for God to give you direction and wisdom in this season. And for him to open a door in Nashville. 😉 (What? A girl can dream right?)
Morgan, I swear we do as well! 🙂 I love that verse and what God is saying. Thank you so much for your friendship and the prayers! Yes, a girl can dream and pray! 😉