The emotional coaster

I have so many fond childhood memories of my mother, growing up.  Especially when she set aside her daily motherhood chores simply to have casual conversation.  Way before Instagram, mom was hosting “ask me anything” type of discussions. 
 
I remember constantly pestering her about my age and why it’s taking me so long to grow up.  For some reason I always had this fear of missing out on all the fun grown-ups were having.  Mom would smile and kindly advise me to just enjoy every moment of being a child. “Time will fly and before you know it you will be just like me”, she would say.  Grown-ups have so many things they worry about and she would do anything to return to that carefree, worry-free lifestyle of a kid. 
 
Well, she was right and time did fly. It didn’t seem long before I was grown and already starting a family of my own in my early 20s.  All was well until I began to encounter the bumps along the road I never expected.  A child born with a birth condition that required corrective intervention, numerous unforeseen minor incidents and emergency room visits, and even the dearest person in my life diagnosed with a terminal disease are but a few of those bumps. 

 I couldn’t help but feel like my emotions were on a continuous up and down roller coaster.

 
It wasn’t until I began to seek comfort in the word that I found what it means to enter his rest.  
 
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God… So let us do our best to enter that rest. (Heb. 4:9-11 NIV)
 
 It’s easy to say or sing “I surrender” songs, however truly letting go and remaining emotionally at rest and undisturbed in unpleasant or severe circumstances is entirely different.  
 
The more I became personally acquainted with him, the more I was able to slowly let go of the thought that I could control my circumstances.  I learned to entirely trust that he is in control of every detail and moment of my life. Only consistency in the word maintained that relationship. It’s common knowledge that we only trust the ones we truly know. 
 
 
If you recall previous posts, we studied Mary and her sister Martha.  Mary took the time to develop that close relationship.  She sat at the feet of Jesus and heard his words while Martha knew him but from a distance.  Well, the unexpected had occurred and their brother Lazarus got sick. Both had high hopes that Jesus would come through for them and Lazarus would be healed however that also did not occur and Lazarus died.  When Jesus finally came around it was clearly obvious that Martha was on the emotional roller coaster while Mary was resting.  
 
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. ( John 11: 20 KJV)
 
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (vs.21)
 
 
Martha needed answers and she needed them now.  While Mary sat still until Jesus himself had called for her.  The KJV has the word “still” in italics.  
 
And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
 
I have to say, learning to rest and remain still always brings me back to those childhood days where you live almost completely worry-free.  Life is so much more enjoyable that way.  It’s no wonder Jesus said to experience his Kingdom here on earth, you must have that childlike trust.
 
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3 NIV)
 
 
It doesn’t mean you no longer encounter bumps along the road.  It’s your reaction to them that’s entirely different. You have this undeniable assurance that as ugly as it my appear, this circumstance is for my good. 

Even your emotions may choose to go for a ride but deep down you’re still at rest because this time you personally know and trust the conductor steering  the coaster.   
 
Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul (Ps. 131:2)
 
 
 
Supporting Text

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matt. 11:28 kjv)

 

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling (Isa 30:15)

…they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting -place. (Jer. 50:6)
  
Be still, and know that I am God (ps. 46:10)
 
…a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD… they will feed and lie down, with no one to make them tremble. (Zep. 3:13 BSB)
 
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matt. 19:14)
 
God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen. (Isa 28:12)