Feeling Frazzled
Tuesday, May 14
Feeling Frazzled
Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Have you noticed a toddler at the end of a very busy day? They are tired, but not too tired. Hungry, but not too hungry. Sleepy, but not too sleepy. And in these moments as a parent it feels like you’re walking on thin ice. As adults feel this way too. There are times in life when we feel like a frayed piece of shoelace that will snap any minute. We have been trying to keep our boots strapped up, but the mud of life, from the rain of disappointment we are just this close to calling it quits!
We feel like the toddlers who are exhausted, but too wound up to relax enough to sleep. We throw tantrums and we literally do not know what to do with ourselves. Inner (or outer) screams reflect our intense frustration, and we feel out of control.
What do we do in this situation? Like the toddler we are told to vent out frustrations to the Lord. For this reason, Matthew 11:28 says “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
When we vent our frustrations to the Father, we know in return we are expressing our weakness and embracing His strength. Isaiah 66:13 says it this way “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you?” Just as a mother understands that her toddler is not coping with life at the time, because of fatigue. She does not get angry, but feels compassion, and does whatever is needed to soothe and calm her child. The child is put in a warm bath, and then rocked to sleep in her arms, until peace reigns once more.
In the same way, we can turn to God and we can cry and wail on His chest. He understands our turmoil. He will hold us tight and calm us with the sure knowledge that He is willing and well able to restore us to peace. He is our daddy who speaks words of comfort, and soothes our souls with the warmth of His love. His presence fills our spirits with His supernatural peace that goes beyond human understanding. We snuggle in His warmth for as long as we need to, until we can climb off His lap and engage with life again.
Prayer for today: Thank You, Lord for always being there. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by life and like an exhausted child You know just how to comfort us in these moments. Thank You that we can come to You to restore our souls and be led by quiet waters. Please come even now and take me in Your arms, as I rest my head against Your chest. Comfort me with the knowledge that all will be well as I continue to place my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.