And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. - Psalms 55:6

Look up and see the dove, flying without a care and worry. With a swoop the graceful creature extends its wings and with a flash of white is gone. In Psalms, we read about the dove. How often have you wistfully looked at the birds and wished that you could fly away with them. Leaving your worries and cares, trials and troubles, you’d fly to the place that would be restful and calm. 

One place is peaceful, and we read about it in Revelation.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

We look forward to that day, but still wonder where can we can find peace, comfort, and hope in a world that is torn apart and ready to fall to pieces before our eyes. 

In this journey called life, it is easy to start looking at the difficult circumstances, focus on them, and become discouraged. Before we realize it, those same trials have increased and are creeping over the very path our feet are upon. The evil plants of discouragement and despair seem to choke our souls. In our hearts, we become distressed and look for a way of escape.

In Psalms, David wishes to escape his trials, be free of the pain, and fly away to a restful place.

There is only one place to find peace. To find true freedom from the cares of life, and the tides of the world.

It is where God is. 

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

We are a called people, and when we accept the gift of eternal life, the spirit of God dwells within us. 

We are able to find our restful place in GOD, even amid the discouragements, the trails, the unrest, and the pain.

God did not promise us an easy route in life - to the contrary, Jesus said, 

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Jesus Himself had a life filled with trial, disappointment, and pain but at the same time He was filled with peace knowing that His Father was with Him and that He was living out the ultimate purpose as our Lamb and Saviour. 

Because HE overcame, we can too. We can have beautiful, freeing peace. 

For  John 4:18 says, “ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

There is no fear in God’s love, and truly there is no restlessness when we realize that we are placed here and now at this place in time for a reason.  We can be as free in our hearts as the bird, and find comfort under the shadow of the Almighty.

Yes, there will be difficulties. Yes, there will be discouragement. Yes, there will be pain. It’s inevitable.

But God’s perfect love buoys our hearts, and we are given the strength and peace to get through it. 

God is in control, no matter what. He is our Anchor when our heart is ready to drift away. He is the guard of our soul in the middle of the battle. And He is the sunshine that pours into us and renews us from the inside out.

So, when your storm rages. When your flesh is failing you. When hope is gone. When your faith is gone and your future seems so unbelievably uncertain. REMEMBER. God isn’t done with you yet and He’s not letting go. 

He will lead you to peaceful streams, he will take you to calm fields of grace and love. Rest in HIM. His strong, mighty arms of infinite understanding are always there. It’s not a question of “Are they there?” But “Will I let them hold me?”

So next time you see the dove flying, remember, you are FREE. Free Indeed.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. - John 8:36

Lord , I'm in the dark, Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling. No one there, the sky is falling; Lord, I need to know. My mind is playing games again, You're right where You have always been. Take me back to You, The place that I once knew as a little child; Constantly the eyes of God watched over me. Oh, I want to be In the place that I once knew as a little child... "I will rest in You"

When your mind is running ahead of God's plan, when waiting is painful and dreaming occupies your days, remember to just rest in God. Remember to be as a little child - in faith, trusting that what you do not understand right not, what you can't see,  what seems to make no sense at this moment is known by our loving Heavenly Father.

There is a beauty, a peace in just resting. In saying, "Lord, I don't know much, and what I think I know is nothing compared to your infinite mind. So, I rest in Your plans, Your ways, Your love."

But this means in no way that we should stand idle. Look for that job, search for the home, pray for a soul-mate, but never lose your child-like faith and the simplicity of just resting in God's hands.

When your mind seems to be playing tricks on you, when you can't seem to see a clear path for your feet, "look up".

Just as Pilgrim in Pilgrims Progress had to look at the light above him when he went through the slough of despair so that the steps would become visible, so we should look to heaven when things become unclear and uncertain.

Open your Bible, ask Godly council, pray continually - and the way will become visible to your stumbling heart. The answer might be "wait" and that waiting time will be exactly what you need to prepare for the soul journey ahead.

But the answer will come and when it does, when the steps are illuminated - take them. Don't hesitate. Move forward confidently, for heaven has made a way for you to walk through even the most difficult situations.

Just rest, knowing that God will make a way when there's none. He will make a path when there's an ocean of impossibility between. When there's no oasis for miles around a spring will well up from the very desert. You are in good, good hands.

So trust as a child trusts its parent implicitly. "Trust and obey! There's no other way to be happy, but to trust and obey"

And rest, knowing that God has everything in His hands and is watching over you, guiding each step - each heartbeat - each breath.