Rest: A Way to Heal

Week 25, Tuesday

Elizabeth Luter

And a time to heal . . .

Ecclesiastes 3:3 (kjv)

Sitting home resting after a brief hospital stay has given me a new perspective on healing.

In old days, the common remedy for every illness was chicken soup and rest. Doctors and medicines were used only in extreme cases. If aspirin, rubbing alcohol, a kiss, and a hug didn’t help, then surely turpentine would. We stayed in bed resting for what seemed like eternity.

This rest that was recommended simply stated, “Be still.” Until now, I’ve never read so many get-well cards that say, “Get some rest.” The message consistently conveys that in order to get well, one must get rest.

Sickness is unusual for me. As a matter of fact, this is my first major illness. As I am healing, I have made a new discovery. My being still, while resting in Jesus, added a blessing to my recovery time. To rest in Jesus is to find comfort in the Scriptures He spoke while here on earth. It is also a time to cultivate a new, improved relationship with the Lord. This relationship is often severed by acts of busyness.

The constant demands in life can force us to place worship, prayer, and God’s Word at the end of our list. Lying here without the world’s distractions allows perfect communion between my Lord and me. The solitude I once dreaded has become the place for my soul’s revival.

The wear and tear of the spirit isn’t always as obvious as the wear and tear on the body. However, spiritual depletion will eventually show up on the outside. The body of Christ can see our depletion by the delay in our steps and grimace in our smile. Our Lord stopped by the well to receive physical restoration (see John 4:4-6). You and I must stop by the spiritual well to receive restoration.

I’ve never enjoyed solitude and inactivity so much until now. I am getting better although lasting symptoms remind me that I am still healing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is . . . a time to every purpose under the heaven” (kjv). This time of inactivity will be my perfect healing inside and out.

Father, I thank You for Your time to heal. I will no longer look to healing times as setbacks but as refreshing times to plunge forward. Thank You for the new life You’ve given to me. Amen.