“Do you feel the sweetness of My Spirit? Or do you move under the weight of a spirit that sees Me as a strict, unloving God always looking to punish?

“Be careful before you answer this question. Many of you would say – of course I know you are a Loving God. And yet you allow to remain upon your mind thoughts of how I look askance at you.

“There is a balance here, My People. Yes, I want you to walk in holiness and purity before Me. Yes, I want you to live out My Will in your life moment by moment. And yes – I do all toward you in Love. Through Love I warn you. Through Love I urge you to keep on My chosen path for you. You do not need to constantly check your every move and thought to see if something displeases Me. I simply call you to REST in Me. As you Rest in Me, you allow Me the freedom to lovingly guide you with My Perfect Hand. And so your thoughts toward Me become thoughts of Trust, not fear of Me and what I will do. If you truly believe I hold only Love for you, there shall be no room within you to doubt Me. To fear Me.

“Your enemy is cunning. He would take even your desire to please Me and twist it – into fear and anxiety before Me. This is an easy test. Neither fear nor anxiety is ever from Me. These are weapons of your enemy. So cast them off of yourself by the Power of My Blood – and Rest in Me with all Delight and Joy. I will show you places within yourself that require My refining. As you Rest in Me and fully Trust Me, these times of refining will be times of great Joy for you. For you will feel My Love pouring out over you during the refining. You will rejoice and be glad before Me. You will never feel belittled at My Hand. Even when I come to you with great firmness, you will feel My Love within it.

“Rest in My Joy over you. Again I say REST. Trusting in My Love for you will guide you along your way with Peace and Gratitude. My Voice never makes you feel small or ‘less than.’ My Voice lovingly guides and cherishes you. Believe in this, you who tend to strive before Me, and you shall be set free from much anxiety. Amen.”
—–
Notes:

Lamentations 3:22-23: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15: But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

I John 4:16:  We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Hebrews 12:5-6: …My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Isaiah 26:3: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 30:15: For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Psalm 127:2: It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 1:7: For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I John 4:18: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 25:4-5: Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.

I Peter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.