S12.04 | When God Tells You to Pause: The Power of Seasons of Restoration
Have you ever felt called to something - but instead of being released into it, you feel like God is asking you to pause?
In this episode, we’re talking about the often misunderstood and deeply uncomfortable season of restoration. The season where God calls you to step back, be still, and allow Him to restore what has been poured out.
Drawing from Leviticus 25 and the Biblical principle of letting the land rest, we explore why God’s design includes pause, how our identity can become entangled with productivity, and why hiddenness in Christ is not a setback - but preparation.
If you’re afraid of losing momentum, being forgotten, or becoming “nothing” in the stillness, this episode will gently reframe what God is actually doing beneath the surface.
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3 key takeaways
1. Rest Is Not a Setback - It’s a Strategy
God designed rhythms of restoration, not constant output. What feels like pause is often preparation.
2. Your Worth Is Not Tied to Your Productivity
Seasons of stillness expose where we’ve attached identity to performance - and invite us back to identity in Christ.
3. Hiddenness Is Where Deep Work Happens
When God calls you to be hidden, He is not sidelining you - He is strengthening, healing, and preparing you for lasting fruit.
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Resources:
5 Steps to Building Resiliency
Affirming Truths Facebook Community
5 Tips for Overcoming a Negative Body Image
Who You Say I Am Biblical Affirmation Cards
Quick recap
Carla returned to podcast recording after a sabbatical to discuss her journey into a season of hiddenness, where God called her to pause her Christian mental health work and step back from promotional activities. She explained how she had become dependent on external validation through her work, and God revealed to her that her identity should be rooted in Christ rather than in her productivity. Carla shared how this season of rest has been challenging but transformative, allowing her to experience deeper spiritual formation and healing, while emphasizing that hiddenness with Christ is not disappearance but protection and intimacy. She concluded by encouraging listeners that periods of restoration and pause are gifts from God that replenish the soul and prepare us for future fruitfulness.
Carla's Call to Hiddenness Season
Carla returned from a sabbatical and shared that God called her into a season of hiddenness rather than resuming her podcast. She explained that God often calls people to pause and go through seasons of restoration, which can require as much courage as taking direct action. Carla emphasized that feeling called to do something while being told to step back and wait can be conflicting, but following God's guidance is important.
Re-evaluating Christian Mental Health Work
Carla discussed her journey of re-evaluating her approach to Christian mental health work, explaining how she had shifted away from promoting herself as an expert to focus more on her relationship with God. She shared how her identity had begun to depend on her work rather than on Christ, leading her to step back from certain promotional activities. Carla acknowledged the fears that came with this change, including concerns about losing momentum and becoming irrelevant, but emphasized that sometimes the most obedient action is to remain still rather than constantly pursue productivity.
Biblical Perspective on Work and Rest
Carla discussed the biblical perspective on work, explaining that productivity and work are part of human design as created beings in God's image. She emphasized that rest is also biblical and not a sign of weakness, citing the principle of rest from God's example and the importance of obedience. Carla referenced Leviticus 25, highlighting how the laws and regulations in the Bible serve the purpose of maintaining a good relationship with God and promoting community well-being.
Biblical Concept of Rest
Carla discussed the biblical concept of rest as commanded in Leviticus 25:4-5, explaining that the land was required to rest every seventh year to be replenished and restored for future fruitfulness. She emphasized that this principle applies to people as well, as human fruitfulness comes from serving others and bringing people to the kingdom, not from constant productivity. Carla highlighted that rest is not optional for maintaining long-term productivity and spiritual growth, as burnout contradicts the fruit of the Spirit and God's purpose for our lives.
Spiritual Rest and Identity Struggles
Carla discussed the concept of resting not due to failure but as part of God's care for one's spiritual well-being. She shared her personal struggle with tying her worth to productivity and the fear of losing identity when called to pause her business. Carla revealed how her son's reassurance that she was significant to him didn't fully address her deeper need for validation, highlighting a lifelong battle with feeling disposable.
Finding Significance in Christ's Hiding
Carla shared her personal journey about seeking significance from external sources rather than finding enoughness in Christ. She discussed how God is calling her to a season of being hidden, which initially feels like loss but is actually an opportunity for spiritual formation. Carla acknowledged surrendering to this call, emphasizing that being hidden in Christ does not mean being hidden from purpose.
Hiddenness in Spiritual Formation
Carla discussed the concept of hiddenness in Colossians 3.3, explaining that it represents protection and formation rather than disappearance. She highlighted that many Christians remain spiritually immature despite being long-time members of the church, suggesting they have not allowed for deeper spiritual formation. Carla emphasized that hiddenness provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and warned against the lie that being hidden means being forgotten or needing to start over.
Relying on God's Guidance
Carla discussed the importance of relying on God's guidance rather than personal effort, citing Psalm 127.1. She emphasized that work sustained by human strength is unsustainable, while work built by God is sustained by Him. Carla warned against relying on personal ego in one's calling and highlighted the benefits of trusting in God during pauses.
Spiritual Healing and Sabbatical Insights
Carla shared her experience of deep healing in her nervous system during a sabbatical period of "hiddenness" guided by the Holy Spirit. She described how this time has helped reorder her motives, detach her worth from performance, and deepen her dependence on God. Carla explained that she had become mechanical in her podcast planning, focusing on metrics rather than the heart of sharing God's message, but since taking a pause, she has received four new messages from God that she plans to record.
Sabbatical Insights and Spiritual Growth
Carla shared insights from her sabbatical experience, emphasizing the importance of releasing timelines and finding rest in intentional surrender. She discussed how this season allowed her to focus on supporting her son's university preparation and meeting her parents' needs without feeling pressured to perform professionally. Carla concluded by emphasizing that a season of restoration and pause serves a purpose in spiritual growth, referencing John 15 to illustrate how remaining connected to Christ enables bearing fruit.