2 Chronicles 32:7-8 Be strong. Be brave. Don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope. The king of Assyria has a huge army with him. But there’s a greater power with us than there is with him. The only thing he has is human strength. But the Lord our God is with us. He will help us. He’ll fight our battles.The people had great faith in what Hezekiah, the king of Judah, said.
Are you a parent that feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders these days? Perhaps it’s the economy that has caused a realistic worry about your family’s future. Even though we know that we should not be anxious in anything, we often still really struggle with taking ahold of that truth and then we compound things by worrying that we aren’t being great examples for our kids! Sometimes being a Christian parent feels like wading in a riptide zone – always having to swim against the current.
It can be mentally exhausting swimming against that tide. A little nap sounds wonderful!
When I was working in the medical field, I remember how the doctors who’d be on call 24+ hours would take power naps in order for them to stay on their game. It amazed me that these brief naps would totally rejuvenate them! Research has shown that these little naps are even more beneficial than longer naps because the person does not get into deep sleep, which would then cause grogginess and disorientation upon waking. Instead they fall asleep immediately and are easily awoken, feeling totally refreshed.
There’s a trick to these power naps, though. A person who is efficient at power napping is able to, in a way, “turn off their mind”. For this short span of time, they don’t worry about what needs to be done, what mistakes they have made during their day or what will happen during their absence. They’re able to formulate a personal inner peace that reinforces the belief that all will be well in the world for the few minutes they sleep.
In 2 Chronicles, when King Hezekiah told the people that the Lord was with them and would fight their battles, they RESTED upon his words. His reassurance gave them inner peace enabling them to do this.
Those words are still true and applicable in our own lives today! The Lord is with us, ready to fight our battles! Take refuge and rest in that knowledge! Lay down those heavy burdens and trust that He is there helping you.
If the mistakes of your past haunt you; if the future frightens you; or if you’re exhausted because you’re trying to be the super-glue that holds everyone in your family together in an unraveling world … rest on the the faithfulness of the Lord. He is with you. He will fight your battles.
Practice the idea of taking a spiritual power nap. Let go for a few minutes, knowing that your Father has it under control. Empty your mind and rest, as He renews your Spirit.
Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com.
