I’m pleased to welcome Karen Foster as a guest writer for this week’s post. Our paths crossed through a post I wrote last year and I’m glad they did. On her blog, Karen shares “how daily circumstances are an opportunity to be conformed into Christ’s image and bring Him praise.” I love her soul-stirring insights on how we can experience God’s presence…Even In This. Thanks Karen!

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A single piece of thread dangles from my scarf. I tuck the lonely strand back into place. Try to hide it.

For I know if I yank the thread too hard, the scarf will bunch up. Keep pulling it and the scarf might unravel.

Ever feel that way?

Like you’re composed of multiple strings of yarn and everyone is tugging on you?

And each time those strings are pulled, you feel as though you’re unraveling. Bit by bit.

Until there’s nothing left of you, but a heap of yarn on the floor.

Unless, of course, you’ve learned to hide the loose, frayed strands from other folks.

Maybe—instead of a frayed scarf—you feel more like a string puppet. Just going through the motions with each tug. Nod, smile, wave, bend, move….

Too much jerking and we lose the elasticity of our stringy nerves. Or they get tangled from hurrying in too many directions.

So how do we avoid unraveling? Untie the knots?

How do we REST in the middle of wrestling life?

Return to the Lord and let your soul find rest. (Psalm 116:7).

Exalt the Lord. Praise His name and thank Him for Who He is and the great things He has done in your life. (Psalm 69:30)

Submit to the circumstances in your life in which you have no control. If we can’t change our circumstances, we can change our attitude. (Philippians 4:8)

Trust God’s promises. Knowing He uses the events and people in our life for His purposes which includes molding us into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28,29)

Even when King David’s personal sin crushed him, he returned to the Lord. For he knew his redemption and delivery had nothing to do with his own character or actions.

It had everything to do with God’s lovingkindness and compassion.

Maybe you’re on the endangered list as your inner being unravels. Desperate for God’s compassion.

Turn off the news; the cell phone.

Go to your hiding place and show your Abba Father the gnarled knots and loose strings.

Then R.E.S.T.

And like a child who waits while a parent untangles his shoestrings…

Allow the Lord to clip and mend your frayed, loose strings until you’re new again and ready to rumble.

Karen Foster writes devotionals and personal narrative stories for Christian publications such as The Upper Room, The Secret Place, and The Bible Advocate’s ezine: Now What? Karen is also a speaker for women’s events. You can read her blog at KarenFosterMinistry.com.