Around 2:30 this morning I finished reading Mary DeMuth’s new book, Thin Places, a heart-wrenching memoir of abuse, imperfection, and healing. (More about that in a future blog!) Then after going back to sleep for awhile, I worked in the Mending the Soul workbook by Celestia Tracy (following-up on classes I took last week about helping abuse & trauma survivors.) Later I listen to clients’ angst tinged with hope. Heavy.
Truth is: We’re all wounded–and our pain oozes out in strange ways. We feel squelched sometimes and need AIR. Reminds me a journal entry I shared in my devotional book, It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life.
Journaling reality: “I do what I assume I should while inner and outer bullies dictate how I ought to be: You’re selfish, Joan. Try harder. Get it all done. He’s mad at you. You should do more. You gotta look better. You don’t need rest. I feel confined to a narrow box with little space for developing creativity, intimacy or individuality—all the things I long for.
Get me out!: After years of living this way, I feel raw anguish that I push down–deeper. If I keep busy enough, I don’t have to deal with the disappointment or hurt. Then it backfires and I crash. “Help, Lord,” I cry. “I can’t do it anymore.” And wow, He meets me in my mess. Eventually I read Psalm 31:7-8* and my exhausted heart smiles. I don’t have to stay in the box!
Wide-0pen spaces: 
Now every time I read His promise to set my feet in a spacious place, I smile—inside and out. I want to tell any woman (or man) who feels trapped that God will open the lid of your box and take you to a wide-open space. It’s a process, yet He wants to release you from the limitations of your pain and misconceptions and set you in a place of expanded joy.
Making It Personal: What’s your spacious place look like to you? Consider gathering your courage and asking God to take you there.
* “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw. . . the anguish of my soul. You have. . . set my feet in a spacious place.” Ps. 31:7-8
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Joan,
Another favorite scripture regarding “a spacious place” that I keep close. Job 36:16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.” I just love that God woos us from the jaws of distress, he coaxes us away from those places of “comfortable discomfort” so that we can be free. And hmmmmmm, I bet those nourishing goodies he offers us may be food of a different sort than we might automatically assume… Our God is amazing!!!
Thanks for your “spacious place” words.
I’m in my spacious place. Just when I start to get a little discouraged about the slow process of publishing or gaining ground as a speaker I get an email note or comment on my blog like the one I got yesterday from “Amy”…she was distraught and in severe need of encouragement. The Lord led her to my words, we connected, and it truly seemed to make a difference. That’s joy in it’s truest form to me. I don’t have to have success by any standards other than offering comfort to a (previous) stranger because I know the Lord is pleased and saying, “Well done.”
Thanks for your post Joan.
Hi Joan
This excerpt from your book is my favorite devotional to date – I already had it earmarked in the book.
To know that God sets my feet in spacious places and takes me out of the box – wow! So freeing. The strange part is that I can still be very busy, maybe even busier, but I don’t feel trapped, I can breathe.
My son just gave me a one-liner his manager taught him, “Prospect where your feet are.” While specifically related to getting clients, I liked that image that wherever i am standing, there can be a reason for me to be there – because as you quote, God has truly “set my feet in a spacious place.” Thanks for that reminder Joan – that I can trust that where my feet are, there is God awaiting and surrounding me with all his infinite love and yes, space.
Hi Sharon, thanks for sharing your one-liner from your son. Love your comments.
And thanks for your affirming words about the devo, Lynne.
Diane, LOVE that you’re in your spacious place. I’m smiling here!
I have been feeling lately like one part of my life is in a spacious place, another is in a box. My life is not perfect. Surprise! I’m learning to accept that. Thanks, Joan, for your post.
Hi Denise,
Sometimes Life is a push-pull, isn’t it? Thanks for your comments.
Relief blessings,
Joan