I love it when guests show up! Amy Boyd is a blogger, and communicator who loves to provide hope, heart revival, and assurance that our identity lies in Christ alone, and not in our circumstances.
She is a chai latte addict who recently began adding a shot of espresso to her latte for an extra kick.
Today she shares how she found rest in the midst of an unwanted season in her life. Thank you Amy for such a powerful story.
~ Suzie
As a seven-year-old, I wanted to be She-ra Princess of Power.
Her power stance and universe-saving capacity appealed to me. Any 80’s girl with brothers knows that strong and mighty She-ra is He-man’s twin sister.
Five years ago I faced an unwanted, and brutally crushing divorce from my Godly, youth pastor husband. This kind and hilarious man filled these deep desires of my heart to be known and understood. His love entered spaces in my independent heart that I once felt capable of filling myself.
When this relationship vanished, I didn’t feel known anymore. The girl I used to be faded away until I felt invisible. She-ra disintegrated and only shriveled up Amy remained.
This plunged me into a crisis of Israelite magnitude.
Down-right, restless wandering in the open desert can bring us right to the foot of our Savior.
In Exodus 14, God is preparing the Israelites to be miraculously delivered from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. They have lost everything. The life they knew has been torn away, and nothing is right anymore. They would rather die than proceed along this daunting desert path. They would rather be enslaved than open their eyes and witness God’s deliberate provision.
Exodus 14:11-12- (ESV) They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt: Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
God speaks through Moses and encourages the people to follow four important steps to build a quiet, restful, empowerment and lean head-first into the faith that God is attempting to cultivate:
Exodus 14:13-14- (ESV) And Moses said to the people, Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today…the Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
God whispers in my ear with His arm gently wrapped around my hunched shoulders…
Fear not my daughter– I’ve got you safely in My strong hand.
Stand firm soldier of mine– You’re strong in WHO I AM, not in who you are. Have confidence.
See my Salvation with your whole heart– I AM your Eternal home.
You have only to be silent– I hear your heart dear one, you don’t even have to put your pain into words; trust me to fight for you.
I will always be divorced. Reconciliation with my ex-husband is not possible. Seasons stream from one to the next without end, but God is in them all.
The Israelites did not realize that God was preparing them for a miraculous crossing of the Red Sea on foot. A new season was upon them. God prepares our hearts to accept His power, His strength, His provision, His understanding of who we are, and what we need in every moment.
[bctt tweet=”I find rest in my identity in Christ, not in my circumstances. #livingfreetogether #rest” username=”suzanneeller”]
I’m still trying to figure out who I am. I’m certainly no She-ra. Nor am I shriveled up Amy crouching in the corner, trembling in fear.
I am God’s girl. Resting in His presence. His identity for me.
I am so known. So loved. So heard. So empowered to do God’s work.
Only be silent and rest dear friend. Find power in His fight for you. That’s what I call a true power stance and real universe-saving capacity!
Amy
To know more about Amy!
Check out Amy’s blog. Follow Amy on Instagram.
We gave away this beautiful picture.
Amy says: God admonishes the Israelites in Exodus 14:14 to keep our eyes focused on our real empowerment. This amazing art piece by Mackenzie O’Dell reminds us of that promise. She creates pieces that serve as a daily reminder of God’s love, grace, and provision.
You can find more about her and her work at www.mackenziejoandesigns.com.
Q: What is one thing I can do today to rest in God’s fight for me rather than stepping in to handle the problem myself?
Related posts
If you loved today’s topic, you might want to take it deeper with these posts from Suzie.
Related resources to help you
- The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places
- The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness
I can stop. Just stop. I need to take a moment to be silent. Stop letting my thoughts run wild and wait for His answer to come. I need to rest in my waiting.
Sheila, Joining you in prayer this morning as you rest in the waiting. I pray that God will quiet the thoughts that interrupt your resting in him. That the Lord will light your way with such a brilliance that you know it could only be him speaking to you. I pray peace, calm and wisdom over you as you wait.
Prayers for you also Shelia! Resting is no easy task- but if we are intentional about it, I know God can use productive rest times to build our faith and trust!!
I can rest in God’d promise that He will never abandon me.
Amen Helen!! Such a good truth!
I can stand still – looking neither to the right or left, but waiting on my Savior and looking to Him. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Thank you for sharing this and another verse to put into my heart!
Thanks for reading Nancy! I’m so glad God’s Word is something you carry with you. Such an important part of living a life of rest!!
GREAT verse Paula! I love the Psalms. Even when David is upset or worked up about something, he turns to God and shows his ultimate trust in God’s ways. Such an amazing encouragement.
Be still.
Amen Alanna!! Be still…
I can set my mind on things above…on God ..and watch to see how He works all things out for His honor and glory.
Amen Shirley! He certainly works all things for His honor and glory- even if we can’t see it with our finite eyes.
I pray this morning:
Oh sweet Jesus, I come into your Presence by Bowing my head and crying out for more of You in my life … Take me beside the Living Water and restore my soul… Remind me of Your Love as I read Your word and Rest in You…help me to be still and know You love me and are fighting for me today …I trust in You alone, Beloved. Amen
What a beautiful prayer. Amen and amen.
Absolutely Bonnie! AMEN!! So thankful that He restores our souls even when the road seems too hard and too long, we CAN trust in Him alone!
Bonnie-thank you, I needed to read your prayer this morning!! To it Insay a big AMEN!!
To stop what I’m doing and pray and be still before letting my thoughts take over. Know that God is in control in all situations and know that He loves me.
Hi Sarah…great idea to be still BEFORE letting all of those thoughts take over. I often have to pull myself out of a deep hole because I’ve let my doubtful thinking go on for way too long…God certainly is in control and the sooner we recognize that in our situation, the better it will be!
Sheila took the words right out of my mouth. I need to STOP.
I had to show my husband this post because it literally has our names written all over it; we were just talking about a situation last night that consumes me, and I was telling him about a light-bulb moment that God had given me yesterday about our wilderness. I had been questioning God and minimizing his power… it’s something I’m very good at, shamefully. But He reminded me that in that moment that this place is not my home… my promised land IS waiting on me, it just doesn’t exist here on earth. There is no perfect life or scenario; we aren’t promised that bed of roses that so many of us strive to rest upon. Life on earth is our wilderness; heaven is our promised land. We have hope through Him that we will one day reach that promised land. We have hope through Him that he will sustain us, carry us, strengthen us as we journey toward Home. We have hope that if we trust, if we rest in His promises, he will guide us along the way.
Stopping, resting today. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us, Amy; I admire your vulnerability. Blessings!
Crystal, thank you for your words. They are powerful.
” Life on earth is our wilderness; heaven is our promised land. We have hope through Him that we will one day reach that promised land. We have hope through Him that he will sustain us, carry us, strengthen us as we journey toward Home. We have hope that if we trust, if we rest in His promises, he will guide us along the way. ”
Amy, THANK YOU for sharing your story. Too often we just hear of ‘storybook endings’ when Christians tell their stories.
Not in Living Free Together. I make that promise. We’ll talk about the power and goodness of God. We’ll explore healing. We’ll challenge each other to do what God asks us to do, but our only storybook ending will be that of the cross, and the power therein.
Thank you for showing up in this community today. I love that you joined in!
I agree with Eva, Crystal! Such powerful words. God shows each of us His power in different ways. God did not save my marriage- this “happy ending” did not go as I had planned, but I wouldn’t give up my quiet, empowered relationship with God for anything. He has grown me and molded me every step of the way. I long to send hope to women that even if God allows evil to befall us, He still has plans. He has always been in control and His love for us is never ending!! Thanks for reading ladies. I’m so thankful that God has you in His moldable hands as well!
Today I will allow Him to heal me and my husband, not try to do it myself. I will rest in the fact that He can and wills to do it. But I just need to let it go and know Him and revel in His love.
Father, we release Gretchen and her husband into your hands. Teach. Lead. Make whole. Dig out any roots that have buried in their relationship or in their hearts, so that those places might be filled to overflowing with you. In Jesus’ name.
Thank you, Gretchen for such a beautiful and honest statement of belief. This is powerful!
Hi Gretchen…my divorce definitely revealed to me that I cannot be in control of others. I can only have control of myself and how I chose to respond to God’s presence in the midst of the trial. It sounds trite to say, but yes- when we let go God can do a work in us in spite of what happens in our marriages. Praying for you Gretchen!
Today I will stop & give Him my concerns about our future plans. Today I can slow down and enjoy the blessings I see before me. I can be thankful for the things I take for granted every day and rest assured God is moving in my life in HIS timing. I will trust Him and rest. I will “be still and know” He is God.
Hi Tammie…isn’t it so tough to let those plans for the future go? I never expected this reality, but I wouldn’t trade my close walk with God for anything. I know He used these events to mold me in a way that would have never been possible before. Even though parts of the future will be tough, He is already there. You’re so right that He IS moving and He IS taking care of you in love sister!!
I start the day with Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save; He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with his love; HE WILL RE JOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING. That is my daily reminder that God not only loves me, but he genuinely likes me and is with me throughout the day. Who could ask for a better friend and companion?
I love the idea of God singing over me all day! Thank you Pamela!
I agree Pamela! Great verse!! God truly is rejoicing in the fact that he is MY friend- that seems so backwards- and yet it’s so true…God delights in us. Thanks for that thought Pamela!
This is one of my fav verses! The image of an omnipresent God singing over us is stunning.
What a beautiful testimony Amy!! I sit in tears because God uses you again to confirm what He is saying to me. This is my verse, the one God has been speaking to my heart this year. I keep going back to this verse is Exodus !3:13-14. Being still is such a discipline for me. I have been struggling with different things in life and at church. So many things and people I care deeply about and I want so much to be the one to take care of it but once again I realize I am powerless without the Lord. it is not my job to take care of it all and fix and make it better, the way I think it needs to be in order to be better. God continues to whisper in my ear, “I just want you to be still.” he is trying to break the patterns of do, do, do in my life and exchange them for being. So today I will carry this with me and when i want to do, do, do, I will remember that all God needs me to do is be still and trust in Him.
Hi Desiree! Isn’t it just like our amazing God to confirm how he’s been leading and growing us! Being still really IS such a discipline! I have to work at it every single day…I am such a doer- like you are- and God is helping me to step back and pray. Be patient and build my faith. So thankful that He is doing the same in you friend!
Guess what Desiree?! You are the winner of today’s giveaway, which is the beautiful Exodus 14:14 art piece! Congratulations! You can email your mailing address to me at: amy@revivemeagain.com
Last month, my 15 year old son fell down the basement stairs and sustained a traumatic brain injury. Today I am taking him to his Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy appointments.
Today, I am resting in God and trusting He will use the good professionals we have helping us, and my son’s strength and hope, along with His Grace, to help Evan find his way back to perfect health.
Prayers would be much appreciated as well!
I’m so sorry to hear about your son Shelly. Please let me pray for you and your son right now…Dear Lord, we thank you for Shelly and her willingness to turn to you in a tough season. This is a season she would never ask for, but she’s opening up to your grace and resting in your provision for her dear son Evan. Please help these professionals to help Evan begin to heal and regain his capacity. God, you are the great healer and we know you can work a wonderful healing in Evan’s life for your glory. We pray strength and continued faith for Shelly and for Evan, Amen!!
Keep looking towards our Savior Shelly! Praying for hope today!
Lifting Evan up in prayer this morning for complete recovery and also a close walk with Jesus. I pray, that as you walk through this time, that your light and love for Jesus will shine through.
Lifting you up in prayer, also Shelly, it’s so difficult to see our children struggle, to want to make everything right but sometimes all we can do is walk along side them as they recover from physical injury. On the days that seem extra hard remember Phil 4:13-you can do this with the strength that comes from Jesus!
Heavenly Father, thank you for Shelly stopping by today and sharing her heart. Father, we thank you for Evan and the precious life you have created in him. Father, we lift Evan up to you and request that you would use your divine healing, along with the medical professionals supporting him to bring complete healing to his body. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Shelly, as I think about your son, the words of Psalm 107:19-20 come to mind… “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them…” I pray you feel God’s comfort and assurance today. I will continue to pray for your son in the days ahead. Blessings to you.
I remind myself God is good. He is good and has the 30,000 foot view where I only live in the right now. He heals the broken-hearted, he rejoices over me with singing, he has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, and to enlarge my territory. He. Is. Good.
Amen Amanda!! He IS good!! No matter the circumstance, God’s character has not, and will not change. I’ve heard the analogy that life is all one big puzzle and we can only see the piece we’re standing right on- God sees the entire puzzle. I’m so thankful He’s in charge of the design, and not me!
That 30,000 foot view is so key. That’s where trust comes in. Not blind trust, but trust that God sees what we do not and that he has our best interest at heart (and that of those we will cross paths). God is big. That seems like a simple concept, but it’s life transforming when we start to believe it.
I can be still, even when that’s not my nature. Great post!
Hi Julie! I absolutely agree that being silent and still is not my nature either! Every time I give God the reins He takes them and shows me so much more than I could ever imagine. Thanks for reading.
I need to rest in His ability to provide and stop trying to orcestrate things beyond my control. Trying to meddle and control is exhausting. Rest sounds blissful.
Good morning Denise! Doesn’t Rest sound absolutely blissful?! God gives so much rest when we give up control and let Him take over. Thanks for reading today!
That’s powerful! Lord, thank you for helping Denise release those things beyond her control.
I can be in constant communication with the Lord.
Hi Kris! Being in constant communication with the Lord is so important. Whenever I spend more time in prayer, I can really feel myself letting go of control and giving God the ability to really lead.
I am grateful for the confidence I have in knowing that He who began a good work will bring it to completion Philippians 1:6
Great verse Janice! I often think about the work He is doing in all of us to greater His name and His plan!! How amazing!
Encouraging verse!! Remember to pause, be still in HIS presence!
Today I will keep my mouth shut. 🙂 Pray about it and let God take care of it.
Great idea Misty! I know God wishes I would keep my mouth shut a lot more often! 🙂
I’ve been put into a position where I must stop and rest, I’ve developed a painful, physical situation with my knee that has caused me to have constant pain that is worse when I walk. I’m struggling because God is moving in my life, I am stepping out to do things I wouldn’t ordinarily do and now this. Part of me wants to step out, in faith that God will heal this and continue doing things for God and push through the pain but now I am wondering if I’m supposed to be stopping, spending more time with the Lord and waiting on him. I would definitely appreciate prayers for clarity-for God to reveal my next steps and for God to work through my Drs to find the cause and resolve this condition. For now, I will put my leg up and rest knowing that God is in control, he has a plan for my life and it is good, very, very good!!
I’m so grateful for what you do through this ministry, Nancy. I’m grateful you can do it while you rest. Thank you for serving well!
Praying for you Nancy. I know God certainly does allow physical limitations to give us a period of rest designed by him. Prayers for direction and discernment!
Let the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
I need to stop and rest fully in Him, knowing that whatever I’m going through, whatever I’ve been through, He is in control. I’ve let divorce, cancer, and mistakes define me and keep me from stepping out like I feel Him calling. I need to stop and know that He is in control.
Hi JR…I’m so glad you aren’t going to let those circumstances define you! God calls us his beloved, his chosen people, his children and he has special plans for each of us! Keep preaching the truth to yourself!!
I have been communicating with God a lot lately as my anxiety has flared up. I need to be still and let him take over. Thank you for such beautiful words today
Anxiety can be such a tough road Amy…I’m so glad you’ve been seeking the Savior! He is so powerful.
I have been overwhelmed trying to homeschool my son, chase after a toddler and keep my house in order. I need to be quiet and trust God to give me strength and wisdom.
Those early years are very hard. But I promise, you look back one day and wonder how quickly they disappeared. You won’t remember the messes or the stresses. You WILL, however, remember how precious they were – and are. Hold on! God has you covered! Rest in Him. xoxo
Praying for you Tracy. I just spent a few days with a friend who has to little ones. Your work is so tough! Prayers for strength and patience for this season!!
I remember those years, Tracy. Now my children are grown and running after their own little ones! Hold tight, sis. You are doing a good work. Those years will pass quicker than you know. I remember someone saying that years ago to me, and it didn’t seem possible, but now I totally understand. Cheering you on!
This is beautiful, heartbreaking, convicting, and a reminder that we can’t always control our circumstances – but who we are in Christ is unchanging! Be strong and courageous! You are loved! Thank you for the reminder that I am too! xoxoxo
Thanks Rebecca! Although I often want to be in control, God is so much better at it than I am! So thankful for the closeness of our relationship in this portion of my life! Thanks for your encouragement!
What a powerful testimony Amy! Thank you for sharing and encouraging us. I’m taking time today to go back through my journals and see how God has moved on my behalf in the past. Sometimes, He moved in a way that I didn’t like, but being able to look back, some of them now I can see where mercy in disguise. Believing the ones where I’m still waiting, He is still fighting for me. Thank you again!
Hi Jenny, what a great idea to look back through those journals! I have an entire stack of them myself! I love the idea of seeing God’s mercy in disguise- it’s so obvious later on to us sometimes, it’s a wonder that we don’t trust Him more as we’re going through it! That idea certainly challenges me to have more faith in what God is doing today! Thanks!
Remembering is a powerful way to hold tight in the wilderness. It reminds us of how God took care of us in the past. We couldn’t see it. We didn’t know how we’d make it, but we did. We came out battered, but stronger because of him.
You have Greatly encouraged me with your story.One thing I can do to rest Is to rest in God while he works with my prodigal sons yes sons.Because I can not save them but God can. Satan is sifting them like wheat he would keep his faith strong and as Jesus told Simon that he was going to allow satan to sift him like wheat and he would be praying that He would keep his faith strong so he could come back from his darkness and teach his brethren.I will Pray and rest In God knowing he will be bringing my sons back to him so they can teach their brethren about our amazing God
Miranda I am going to be praying for your sons. My ex-husband was not hearing anything from God at the point of our divorce- five years ago. I don’t know his current spiritual state, but I pray for him often and hope that he can find peace that only God can give. Your sons are so loved by God!
My health I battle MS, Severe Fibromyalgia, cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative disease, and so much more BUT God!!!! I loved this article and the 4 key points to Stand firm for one to know God has my back actually all of me! My name is tattooed on his hand and His name is engraved on my forehead. I will no give in to fear I will walk trusting the one who made me knows my needs and can complete the process He began in me as I submit, obey, rely, rest, trust and walk with Him in heavenly places. He is my rock and my salvation my strong tower my salvation
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry to hear about your health struggles. I have a close friend with MS, so I have seen some of the battles that come along with this diagnosis. Stand firm Mary! Don’t give in to that fear. I love your plan to submit, obey, rely, rest, trust and walk!! Awesome steps! I love to read in Psalms and depend on the refuge of my High Tower. Thank you for reading today!
Oh, how I love this! Thank you for so beautifully sharing your heart! One thing I’m learning to do is stop trying to reclaim the past and come to God without an agenda. It’s not always easy, but Holy Spirit is helping me each day to get a little stronger.
Hi Leigh Ellen! I struggle every day with trying to reclaim my past…it’s so tough, but as you said, the Holy Spirit is such an encouragement. My agenda is so “me” focused and the goal of my rest is to leave it all in God’s capable hands. Thanks for reading!!
Some things I can do today to rest in God’s fight for me rather than stepping in to handle the problem myself is to pray and trust in Him instead of fretting or worrying when I am overwhelmed by my circumstances, listen to worship music, and find things to be grateful for. I have always liked Exodus 14:14 and this wall art piece is beautiful, and it would look great in my garden-themed room! Thank you so much for doing this great giveaway!
Hi Christie! I love listening to worship music to calm my heart! Thanks for stopping by today to focus on REST with us!
I need to learn to be still and be quiet. That is so hard for me but I am learning.
So hard for me too Linda! Paul said he was “learning” to be content as well, so I know it’s a process!
Thank you for sharing your story Amy. I, too, am on a journey. Circumstances have thrown me for a loop to say the least, but I find peace in my identity as God’s girl – defined by Him … and not by anything that happens to me. This isn’t always easy though. The enemy and the world’s ways tempt me to shrivel up in that corner. The corner defined by self-pity and fear – by what’s happened to me & by the future which seems very unknown. Fortunately, God has been working in mighty ways in me. My corner is no longer a place of RETREAT (where I shrivel up and try to
come up with a battle plan). It’s now place of REST. The battle is real but it’s not mine, it’s His. And what I need to do is REST. Rest in the One who redeems. He REDEEMS everything. In His Timing. What do I do to help me REST? I have a hat box in my favorite corner in my favorite room. With this hat box, I have a pen and pad of paper. I write to God – I share with Him the cries of my heart. There is something healing that comes for me by putting pen to paper, and then surrendering my heart to God by putting that penned note in my hat box and leaving it there. Every time I’m tempted to “do something” about how I’m feeling & what’s happening … to try & take charge and direct the outcome that is to be … I’m reminded about my Hat Box Corner. And my letter to God. The One who knows all and sees all, the One who has promised to work good from it all for my good and His glory. If need be, I navigate back to that corner & write Him another letter. Thanking Him for who He is & the ways that He is at work – ALWAYS. Reminding myself. I need so many reminders. Praying for you Amy. And trusting God to work beauty through brokenness – which is His specialty.