My plans were foiled. My productivity tanked – all the plans I had for tasks to be achieved dissolved into the bed sheet like the dew beads from my fever.
One day rolled into two without much concern. But by the end of a week of illness which worsened by the day, not only had my health deteriorated, but my spirits as well. My frustration peeked as pain throbbed and tears spilled from my eyes.
My mind filled with self-defeating thoughts:
- I felt like a failure.
- I wasted a week and had nothing to show for it.
- Another week of my life was gone that I’ll never have again.
- Another week gone and no closer to completing my project by deadline.
The thought that concerned me most? You’ve been through this and clearly you didn’t learn your lesson!
The lesson I feared I hadn’t learned? To listen to my body, rest when it needed it, and trust God to redeem the time.
Several years ago I became frightfully ill. I had pushed my body to the limit and not heeded the warnings that it needed a rest until it spiraled downward leaving me with no choice but to rest and recover.
This time I could accept a day or two of being side-lined, and even tried to give in to the doctor’s recommendation to rest. The difficult part was accepting that I was not in control, and tasks were not getting completed that I had planned on finishing.
As I cried out to God in my tears, my chest heaved in pain as I came to the revelation that in ourselves we can do nothing of worth anyway. It was time to release the death grip of control on my schedule, on my plans and surrender to His better way.
What do you need to release to God today?
Because of Him,
#HopePrevails!
Dr. B
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
Dear Michelle, I felt so compelled to read this post tonight before going to the Life Bible Study. The topic tonight…surrender. My heart is pierced and the resolve to bow my knee is calling…calling me to rest in Him…to rest in His perfection…rest in His timing and rest in His love!
Rest in Him, my dear friend Margie. He is all that we need, all that we will ever need, yet we forfeit many of His blessings by holding on to our own plans. Surrender is the path to His Provision. Hope Prevails!
It IS always worthwhile! Before I was a Christian (when I was in the “dating” phase of it), I had a stroke without having any real reason. It only took me a few days into recovery to realize that God had pulled this rug out from under me for a reason: I was stepping into and living a life that was not what He wanted, and had no business in – something that ate up all my time and used none of my gifts. As soon as I realized that, I knew I had to redirect and change track – that eventually led me to becoming a Christian, having a family and now working my dream job of writing! But the surrender to His plan was really hard – I was just afraid of getting sick and laid up for months again!
Yes Gina, surrendering to His plan is often hard. It requires we trust Him. It requires we believe His way is better than ours. I’m so thankful to hear another instance of God’s faithfulness in using what was meant to harm you, to bring you closer to Him!
The life lesson of surrendering your will, your time, your resources, your everything to God is one of the hardest to learn and remember from one time to the next. Thanks for the reminder!
Carol, I often have to be reminded of that myself. I find it’s easier the closer I stay to Him. But the more I do things myself, in my own strength, the harder the fall when I realize I wasn’t surrendered to His good and perfect plan.
I was reading Matthew 4:18-22 yesterday morning and I was struck by the fact that Peter & Andrew had to drop their nets in order to follow Jesus, then James and John had to also drop their nets AND leave their father in order to follow Him wholeheartedly. My question was “What is He asking me to leave behind so I can fulfill His calling on my life?” This encouraged my heart as I’ve had to leave ‘someone’ behind the last while – not easy, and my heart is deeply saddened about it, but it wasn’t healthy. **No worries – it’s not my most amazing husband!!**
So – your question kind of goes with that – what do I need to release to God? And it is that same person. And you know what? There is freedom in that – there is peace.
BTW – I LOVE the photos of you! You are absolutely stunning! I see them on facebook and I am so drawn to them – your eyes – full of JOY! And your smile is AMAZING!!
Anyway, thank you so much for your honest and transparent posts. I appreciate them!
How your comments bless me Aimee. They remind me of God’s word to us, “I am doing a new thing, do you not see it?” What you see in those photos is a new work the Lord has been doing. I’m so thankful for His faithfulness. I know how hard it is to leave relationships–I’ve had to do the same, and it’s always painful even when we know it is best. Let me assure you that if God is calling you to let go of a relationship, it’s to make more room for Him. Surrender is a good thing.
You ask a very good question, my friend! I, too have been sidelined with pain and fever and I know how discouraging it can be. So far, after 14 episodes, no one can tell me what it is, where it comes from or what makes it go away. So, maybe I need to let go my need to know that information. Of course, KNOWING is what I really like–so it won’t be easy to give up!
I can relate to your experience Anita. And I’m a do-er and a planner, and I like to plot out my next step and the next. And one of my top strengths is “input” which means I like knowing. But surrendering our need to know builds our trust in Him. That’s a beautiful thing. Praying for your peace and comfort in the unknown. So thankful you know the one who knows everything, and that this is no surprise to Him!!
I’m so glad I found you through the Women With Intention Link Up! I have often doubted that God could make something good out of the mess, as if my failures will permanently ruin His plans. It’s a good reminder that everything He has in mind for us stands – whether we stray, get sick, or mess up. Thank you for this grace-filled message.
Oh Dear One, hear me on this: your mess is the reason Jesus came. Your mess will not ruin His plans–it will fulfill His plan. And I have found that so often, our greatest messes turn into our greatest messages.
Did I write this and not remember? Is it a future me writing to the now me? I have been sidelined for the last few years, and although I knew that this was God’s will that did not mean I had to like it. I know that I need to take care of myself and that God will be there with us through this, I just need to let go. Getting better at it. Thanks. May you be blessed indeed!
Nikki, you make me smile. 3 John 1:2 reminds us that God wants us to be in health: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” But I have found that often, He is more concerned about the condition of our heart, than with our physical comfort. If you surrender to Him, I promise you will see that He will be faithful to turn this time of ashes into something beautiful! Prayers for your peace and comfort during this time.
Great post, Michelle! I think at times we all have been hesitant to give THE LORD full control even though we know HIS ways and plans are best!
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 <— Thank GOD that HIS purpose and plans prevail!
Happy to be your neighbor from the Wednesday's Prayer Girls Linkup! Thank you for sharing! Infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Thanks so much Tai! What a blessing your comments are. I’m so grateful that His plans and purposes prevail. So glad you stopped by!! Hope Prevails!
Beautiful words here Michelle. Thanks for linking up at MeetUp Monday! Hope to see you tomorrow!
–Krista
http://www.thequinntessentialmommy.com
Thank you Krista. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by! Hope Prevails!
Oh, yes, I know this feeling Michelle. How often the Lord uses health to teach me to rely on Him solely. It must be a difficult lesson because we keep having to re-visit it. 😉 Thanks for sharing this encouragement with us at Grace and Truth last week!
Jen 🙂
Jen, I too have those lessons that I don’t seem to be very quick and thorough in learning some lessons, but He is so faithful to give me the grace and mercy to learn them! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!