Isaiah 30:15-22:

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.’

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, ‘Away with you!’”

Dear Friend,

We’ve all been in places, seasons, and circumstances we haven’t wanted to be in. And sadly, I haven’t always rested in those seasons. I haven’t always remained quiet and placed my trust in the Lord, believing that He is the Guardian of my heart. Too often, I have tried to guard my own heart. Rather than giving the Lord my fears and asking Him to turn my fears into faith, trusting that He will, trusting that He delights in doing just that, too many times I have tried to flee from the circumstances and seasons in which the Lord has placed me. My flesh would have me believe that guarding my heart is the same as hiding my heart–That way, I won’t get hurt. My flesh would have me believe that running away from difficulty is better than running toward it–That way, I won’t experience rejection, and I won’t screw things up and be a disappointment to others.

But no. No! That is only Fear talking. That is Pride choosing to place more value on the opinions of man and on my own emotions. That is my selfishness that would rather sulk because I don’t have my life all figured out and perfectly fitted together.

What does the Lord say? The Lord says to love one another…more than ourselves. The Lord says to walk by faith and not be sight. The Lord says to seek Him first, above all other things. The Lord promises us that HE and He alone is the peace which surpasses all understanding, and His peace guards our hearts.

Dear Friend, let Him guard your heart. You don’t have to flee or hide or writhe. You can rest.

Just rest. Just trust. You cannot protect yourself. God is your protector. Fully trusting Him doesn’t mean you won’t ever face rejection or heartbreak, but it means you will look up to God in the midst of the storm, knowing that He is still there. That He hasn’t rejected you and doesn’t plan to. That He weeps when you weep. That His plan, even when it doesn’t feel like it, is to prosper you. That to Him, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, because He is your Creator, and He will always love you. Even when a friendship shatters–even when a relationship dissolves–even when sickness enters–even when grief grips you–even when you’ve failed and failed and failed…He will always love you.

You don’t have to run away. You can turn back to Him. You can rest, knowing that salvation belongs and comes only from Him.

We’ve all tasted the bread and water of affliction and adversity. But even in those tough seasons, the Lord uses them for your good:

1. The Lord uses them to teach you more about Himself.
2. He uses them to show you what your idols are so that you can destroy them.
3. He uses them to point you on the right path and lead you in His footsteps.
4. He uses them to extend His helping hand as you depend upon Him.
5. He uses them to bless you as you wait upon Him.
6. He uses them to answer your prayers.
7. He uses them to strengthen your patience, your faith, and ultimately, your relationship with Him.
8. He uses them to reveal His compassion to you.

So, let your heart overflow with love for others. Ask God to give you His love. Don’t hide your heart. Instead, give your heart to the Sovereign Lord and trust Him to guard it with His peace. Keep walking in His footsteps, even when the going gets rough, knowing He won’t ever lead you astray.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of your past, and don’t be afraid of your future.

Just rest. Because God has it all figured out. And when He’s finished weaving together what He wills and desires for you, you will rejoice. Even now, you can rejoice in His unfailing love, His perfect faithfulness, and His wondrous plan. The road ahead may be blurry, but don’t focus on the destination. God wants all of us to enjoy the journey of this present moment. God is not waiting for you to arrive in your future, and He’s not dwelling in your past. When God says He is with you, He means right here. Right now. In your present. He is with you on your journey.

So take heart, trust Him, and find rest.