Posted on June 12, 2022 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
Restore My Soul: Hard Times
By Molly Fisher
My journey over the last 10+ years is to be healthy in the most integrated way: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – it’s hard! I‘m not as young as I used to be and I know that to be able to continue to stay healthy and active, I must get better at some (or a lot of) things. Did I mention that it‘s hard! Many of my patterns of behavior are more entrenched than I care to admit: 100% of the time I would pick dessert over a salad; I would rather read a book than exercise; I’d rather not take a deep reflective look into why I do what I do but just stay busy; and it’s a struggle to do my part to hear God’s still and quiet voice.
Most certainly are some things that only God can do, but then there are the things that I need to do – God does not often give us a “pass” when it comes to those things. He will allow us to be uncomfortable, so that we move, hopefully forward, to the life God wants for us; to full restoration (all of us individually and corporately, and with all our being fully restored.) The christian life is meant to be dynamic, restorative, and transformative, so why is it so easy to get in a rut and stuck with unhealthy patterns?
The Hebrew for restore can be translated "make me healthy" and that resonated with me more than ever, as I try to figure out holistic and balanced health. For me that journey started with physical health because I was experiencing unhealth but as I (slowly) get physically healthier, I realize how important it is to integrate all aspects of my life. A healthy emotional life is needed for a healthy spiritual life. I need to protect my mental health, by what I’m willing to take in and process, and by what I need to keep out. And I need constant reminders that my body is a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. I am still learning how to prioritize, how to balance, and how to put/keep buffers in place to live the life God has for me. It is a daily process, with more setbacks than successes, in all areas, but a process, nonetheless.
The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality class has been great, interesting, challenging, and because of the folks doing it with me, a group of us that came together at the first midweek last Fall, it’s an opportunity to build health in community. We were created to have emotions/feelings, and learning to value those, dig deeper into those, tease them out, process what is true and right, is all part of our relationship with God. (It is not too late to join the Tues evening Zoom class…just CLICK HERE.) In looking back, I can see how far I’ve come, and yet fully be aware of how far I have to go. I can have confidence that "…he who began a good work in me, will carry it on to completion." Philippians 1:6
Observe, Reflect, Apply: In the Psalms we read ancient words, with all God’s people through the ages, and they speak to the human condition, that does not change as much as we may like to think. Michelle gave a summary of Psalm 126 as, ”Joy remembered & joy anticipated.” This is one of the songs of ascent, of getting back home and dwelling with God. A sign of restoration is joy. The Israelites remembered what God had done for them (over and over again) and they experienced joy, ”It seemed like a dream too good to be true…” Like children experiencing joy, they beg God to ”do it again.” Reflect on a time of joy in your life, remember what preceded that time, and what made the joy so sweet. If going through challenges today, what joy might the future hold (joy anticipated)? ”Those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessings…”
{bible reading plan}
For the next few months we will be exploring the Psalms. For an overview of the Psalms, watch this 9 minute video from our friends at The Bible Project. To learn more about how to read the Psalms, check out this video resource.
Unity is precious and honors not only others, but God. As creations of the one true God, we have more that unites us than divides us. People matter more to God than politics, views, theology, opinions. Pray for reconciliation and unity, especially for those that you struggle with most.
The last song of ascent is simply a praise to the Lord. Where has God brought you? Can you look back on the journey and recognize God with you? Take a moment to be grateful for the blessings you know are simply gifts from God, not those earned or deserved.
What are your idols? (The things you prioritize above God, with your time, money, love.) Idols may have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes but they cannot see; ears but they cannot hear, nor do they have breath…why do we trust things (money, titles, success, accolades) more than the living God. Where do you place your trust?
The Psalms cover the gamut of emotions, this one a cry for help. Being too sad to feign joy. God is with us in these times as well. What grief do you need to share with God today? What weighs heavy on your heart?
”…when I called you answered…you save me…The Lord will fulfill His purposes for me…He will not abandon the work of His hands.” Though our circumstances change, God does not, ever. Reflect on ways his steadfastness and how well he knows you (better than you know yourself) are a blessing to you.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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