Rest is found in relationships

My friend, how are you doing today? I’ve really appreciated your feedback these past few months. Our prayer teams are lifting you up in prayer, and we’ve all shed a few tears as we’ve read your emails. Although we’ve never met most of you personally, it feels like we’ve become friends. I know God is doing this, and we are one in the Spirit for sure. 

Rest, I’ve noticed, is found in healthy relationships. A good friend can lift a heavy burden. A pastor can inspire and coach us in the Word. A counselor can help provide tools to build a new and better life. A doctor can help us endure pain or can perform life-saving operations. People can give us help, comfort, and rest.

The Bible talks about the power of relationships: “How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?” (Deuteronomy 32:30, NIV) and “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV) 

friend, friends are important, especially as life can be very difficult. Healthy friends can become a support network for both good and troubled times. Do you have a safety net? Are you a friend to others? Do you have supportive friends who can speak the truth in love? “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15, NIV) 

If you don’t have a healthy network, please allow me to offer three excellent options:

1. The Bible tells us God will give us rest. “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” (Exodus 33:14, NIV) Please build a close relationship with the Spirit of God. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. 
2. Lean on us while you are building a new network in a local context. Our team is committed to you. We love you. After we successfully navigate this COVID-19 mess, we are planning on visiting you in some of the key cities that have A Miracle Every Day members. We want to see you, add value to your life, and pray for you. We are building a family.
3. Find someone to serve, help, or coach. The Bible says, “‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’” (Luke 6:38, NIV) Giving to others helps us build a biblical roadmap for health and wholeness. 

friend, start rewiring your life and create a healthy network because you are a miracle. I love you more than koala bears.