My friend, are you tired? I don’t mean the “I need a nap” tired; I mean the bone-weary, deep in your soul exhausted, kind of tired. I am talking about feeling just worn-out from the cares of life. I don’t know about you, but this seems to describe me lately. Everything feels harder than usual, everything seems to take more effort than usual. Even the pain from my autoimmune issue seems worse than usual as I struggle to keep up with all that I need to do.
I’ve had enough conversations with friends lately to know that I am not alone in the struggle. A lot of people are feeling the way I have been feeling. I think a lot of us are feeling tired. Personally, I think this is one of the ways the enemy is working right now. I think he is trying to wear us out because he knows that exhausted people can’t function at their full potential. I think he is intentionally trying to wear us out through the heavy burdens that are weighing on our hearts and minds.
It’s a good plan but it does have one critical flaw. He has forgotten one very important thing, my friend, and I want to remind you of it in hopes that it may encourage you. He has forgotten that our success does not depend on our strength. In Second Corinthians 12:9, God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. He was telling Paul that he could depend on His strength and grace to see him through, and you and I can rest on that same promise, my friend.
We are not meant to do it on our strength; He will provide the strength we need to do all that we need to do, dear heart. The enemy may be trying to wear us out, but God promised to provide the strength we need. Our job is to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and keep pressing on, trusting Him to help us. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I’m your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
Another promise to remember is found in Matthew 11:28. “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” These words were spoken by our precious Savior, and they should comfort our hearts each time we read them. When we are weary, He offers rest that only He can provide. This bone-weary tiredness that I have been battling is the kind that only He can mend. That’s my secret, beloved, He is my refuge and my place of rest.
At the start of each day, I go to Him for the strength I need, and He has never failed to get me through each day. I open up His Word and He speaks to my heart. I give Him my day and He gives me strength for the day. So, while I may be battling an exhaustion that doesn’t seem to want to go away, I know that He will continue to be faithful to provide the strength I need. Sweet friend, He will do the same for you. He will help you and He will give you the strength you need.
Whatever load you are carrying, He can help you to bear it. Is your strength failing? Look to Him; He will give you the strength you need. Do you need rest? Rest in Him. (And give yourself permission to rest when you need to!) He knows what you need, and He is willing to provide it, dear heart. Whatever your need may be, I assure you that He can meet that need. How do I know? He has never failed to help me just when I needed Him. And He wants to do the same for you!
See also: Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:29-31; Philippians 4:13(AMP)
Katrina Douglas
4/2/24
