Fighting Weariness

The day left me feeling like the proverbial camel, knowing one more straw would bring me down. It felt like problems one after another piled higher than a month’s worth of laundry. Weariness set in.

We’ve all been there. A season of time, whether a day, week, month, or year, seem to pile on more than we could bear. And yet, here we are – survivors! Last year produced that bone-deep weariness in many people I know. It felt like there was no end in sight to the challenges before us.

How do we respond when that deep weariness creeps in? I’ve heard the quote, “God won’t give us more than we can handle,” more times than I can count. Yet, I don’t believe that to be true. If we never face challenges harder than we can manage, why do we need God? How does our faith grow?

The difficulties we face provide an opportunity to depend on God more, trusting Him and exercising our faith. Problems grow us. Just like our muscles get stronger the more weight we lift, so too, does our faith strengthen as we walk through challenges that require us to rely on God and His sustaining power.

Galatians 6:9 calls us out of weariness with this command, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” I like the promise here of an eventual harvest, but the part about not giving up, especially when worn out, proves difficult. However, if God asks this of us, He provides a way to accomplish it.

We find the answer in 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.” Jesus promises us rest if we turn to Him when we are tired, worn out, exhausted, or weary – when the cares of this world weigh us down.

Isaiah 40:29-31 also provides encouragement when we struggle. “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

On those days when we feel like we can’t take another step, when we can’t handle another challenge, we go to our Heavenly Father, and let Him give us His strength. Spending time in the Word, praying, and listening to praise music reminds us of His strength and promises that sustain us during even the most challenging times.

If you find yourself weary, spend some time in His presence today. Allow Him to give you the rest that brings refreshing that transcends your circumstances.