Be Still
A Pregnancy Bed Rest Devotional
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It Should Be Called Bed-Restless!
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon your and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 12:28-29
Having to use the bathroom every few hours, getting vitals checked all through the night, unable to roll over to get comfortable, sore butt, hips, you name it! They should call this bed-restless! I remember wishing I could get good sleep during the night while on bed rest, but every pregnant woman knows that it’s near impossible to get good sleep while pregnant–let alone in a hospital!
God created us to need rest. He created the Sabbath day to give us rest from our work. Rest was part of God’s plan from the beginning. Our bodies need sleep to regain strength, and pregnant bodies require even more! Remember that first trimester when you were tired all the time? Sleeping rest gives us a break from talking, thinking, and hopefully worrying–if we give it over to God.
I love that God promises rest to the weary and burdened. He gives rest for our bodies and our souls. Not only does He give us rest, He protects us as we rest. While we sleep, God never sleeps. He keeps watch over us and we never leave His hands. What a great way to fall asleep every night, knowing while you sleep God is holding you in His hands. “I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.” Psalm 3:5 NLT
Listen:
“Restless” by Audrey Assad
“I Will Rest in You” by Jaci Velasquez
Bed Rest Survival Tip:
If you don’t have enough pillows, ask for more! If you are in a hospital, ask your nurses or visitors. If you are at home, ask your spouse to search for the perfect pillow combination for your comfort. Sometimes this can be difficult to master, but you have the time!
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About the Book
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
-Psalm 4:8
Pregnant mothers on bed rest are often fearful, anxious, bored, tired, uncomfortable, hurting, lonely, stressed, and feel helpless. Yet, they can only 'be still' for their unborn children. In this vulnerable state they need God most. This devotional will bring them close to God as He carries them through. Each devotion contains encouraging Bible verses, insights from a mom who has been there and felt God hold her in her weakness, song suggestions to lift spirits and prompt worship, and tips for surviving bed rest.
About the Author
Stacey Pylman, Ph.D. lived in a hospital on bed rest for eight weeks while pregnant with her triplets. Pylman was born and raised in the Grand Rapids, MI area and is a member of the Christian Reformed Church. She graduated from Calvin University with a degree in elementary education, received a master’s degree in literacy education from Western Michigan University, and earned a doctorate in teacher education from Michigan State University. She is now an assistant professor of medical education in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University.