The Parable of the Too-Short Bed

Life can sometimes feel like trying to sleep on a bed that is simply too short—restrictive, uncomfortable, and unsustainable. The parable of the too-short bed reminds us that God never intends for us to remain in a place that no longer fits our growth in Him.

I once inherited a bed that was too short. Ordinarily, it’s not a big problem if you have a short bed, because you can always dangle your feet over the edge. But this bed came with a troublesome railing that prevented me from exceeding its length.

So every night, I huddled in an uncomfortable, contorted position, unable to fully stretch out or extend myself. This wasn’t quite a fetal position, but it had pretty much the same effect.

I sometimes wonder if I might be a few inches taller today if it hadn’t been for my years spent on that too-short bed.

But it turns out I’m not the only one who has faced such an experience. The prophet Isaiah describes exactly this condition:

“You will be like the person in the proverb, who tries to sleep in a bed too short to stretch out on, with a blanket too narrow to wrap himself in” (28:20 GNT).

Recognizing the Signs of Spiritual Restlessness

If you’ve been feeling restless in your spirit, this may be the reason. Perhaps you’re trying to fit into a place you’ve inherited from someone else—a “bed” that is too small for you.

• Maybe you’re like the frustrated child who has outgrown a once-perfect crib.
• Or perhaps the doctrinal “blanket” that once kept you so cozy is now too narrow to cover your expanding insights.
• You may even feel confined by a role, relationship, or ministry that once brought joy but now feels restrictive.

You are not alone in your restlessness. But you can’t stay in that kind of bed … or try to cover yourself with that kind of blanket.

When Growth Requires Change

One day, a group of men from Elisha’s prophetic team came and complained to him:

“The place where we live is too small! Give us permission to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees, so that we can build a place to live” (2 Kings 6:1-2 GNT).

This was no sudden revelation. It had been simmering in their hearts for a long time. Their growth and fruitfulness were being confined by the place they had inherited.

It once had been a wonderful and comfortable place for them. But now they had outgrown it, and they realized it was time to branch out and build a place of their own.

Permission or Calling?

It’s interesting that these spiritual men felt they had to ask permission from Elisha before setting out on their new endeavor. Do you feel you need to get someone else’s permission before you can fulfill your calling in the Lord?

If God is stirring your heart, don’t delay! Yet, like Elisha’s team, take wisdom with you. They didn’t dishonor their past—they invited Elisha along. Just as Jabez prayed that God would enlarge his territory (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), they sought covering for their new steps.

Time to Stretch Out

What is your story today? Have you outgrown a situation where you once thrived?

Take time to assess:

• The bed you’ve been sleeping on—Does it give you room to grow, or is it holding you back?
• The blanket you’ve been wrapping yourself in—Does it cover your spiritual needs, or is it too narrow for your new season?
• The place where you’ve been dwelling—Does it encourage your faith, or does it restrict your calling?

If you’ve been tossing and turning, cramped in a near-fetal position, it may be time for a change. God is inviting you to step into a place of growth, freedom, and expansion.

…

Are you stuck in a spiritual “bed” that no longer fits? Don’t let the too-short bed confine your calling. Step into God’s greater plan for your life today. Sow a seed of faith and believe Him to enlarge your territory and bring you into a season of overflow.