I’ve been sick a lot over the past month. As soon as I begin feeling better from one ailment, another knocks me right back down. Flare-ups have had me in a painful and distracting fog, unable to write or accomplish much around the house. I battled a cold, headaches, a bladder infection, and chronic fatigue. My good days are fewer and farther between than they were just six months ago.
And I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.
God’s Grace Gives Strength To The Weary
Psalm 138:3 KJV ~ In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
This weakened physical state left me vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. Satan’s been spouting condemnation at every turn. “You’re a failure, useless, such a disappointment, and you’ll never accomplish your dreams. You’re never going to get better, only worse and more of a burden.”
I know in my head that the devil is the Father of lies. But because of my inability to perform at the level I’d like to (did I mention I’m a perfectionist?) my heart believed those words, and I sank further into defeat.
Coming to terms with the disabilities I have is hard, humbling, and downright heartbreaking at times. I want to do it all and I want to do it all well. Feeling weak and incapable is not my favorite.
But the reality is that I have chronic pain from multiple back issues, Fibromyalgia, and a slew of other things wrong with this body. Acceptance is a huge step forward in the growth and healing process. I have legitimate infirmities that hinder me in a lot of ways.
Also reality, God’s grace is sufficient for me, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9!
That is the reality I need to focus on for strength when I am weary. That is the reality that will sustain me as I press on towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 73:26 KJV ~ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
God’s Word Gives Strength To The Weary
Psalm 119:28 KJV ~ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
I had my morning fellowship with Jesus and some delicious coffee in one of my new Rae Dunn mugs I got for Christmas. (You can find one here.) It’s simple, but it triggered me to turn to the Lord for the strength I need when I am weary from chronic illness, or anything at all.
The Lord spoke that one word straight to my heart this morning… strength. With that, the floodgates opened and the water of the word washed me clean from my feelings of defeat and discouragement. Verses I had memorized over the years were like a healing salve to my hurting heart. They reminded me of where my help comes from.
I have to choose to let the scriptures define me and direct me, and not the infirmities of my flesh or the opposition of the devil. Share on XIf you’re feeling beat down and burdened, open the Bible and read the Psalms. It will renew your mind and revive your heart as you seek His face and soak up His word.
Psalm 94:19 KJV ~ In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Choose Spiritual Stability When You’re Weary
No matter what our circumstances look like, we have a choice- to filter our thoughts through the truth of scripture or let the imaginations, distractions, and lies from the devil fester and immobilize us.
I can’t help the fact that I have chronic illnesses that hinder my physical and mental capacity and wreak havoc on my emotional stability. But I do have some control over my spiritual stability.
Seeking the Lord, singing His praises, sheltering in His shadow, sharing my heart and hopes in prayer, speaking life and truth, and staying sober-minded and Spirit-filled, helps me to be strong.
Tapping into the Spirit of the living God within me enables me to fight against the fog, fatigue, and flesh. He empowers me to do what the Lord has set aside for me to accomplish for His glory that day. I may not get everything done that I would like to, but as long as God is pleased, that’s all that matters.
Psalm 28:7 KJV ~ The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Resist Temptation and Remember Your Purpose
The temptation will always be for us to wallow in our weariness, worry, and let our weaknesses define us. But that is not God’s will for our lives. He allows adversity so we will activate our faith and accept His grace to achieve the assignments He has ordained specifically for us.
Building an intimate relationship with Christ, becoming more like Him, and bringing God glory is the ultimate goal of our lives. We must resist temptation and remember our purpose in seasons of suffering.
May the peace of God rule in your heart and the joy of the Lord be your strength as you seek to do just that.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV ~ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Articles Related To Strength For the Weary:
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
3 Reminders as I Grow in the Knowledge of Jesus
3 Keys to Helping Someone with Depression
A Day in the Life of a Christian with Chronic Pain
18 Psalms for a Sober Mind in Suffering
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Pray With Confidence
Prayer is vital for strength when you are weary. If you desire a stronger prayer life, check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well. There are so many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
I’m sorry you’ve had a super tough time lately. It is amazing, though, how God uses everything in our life to point us to Him. Thank you for sharing your hurt and learning with us.
Thank you for taking the time to read it and comment! You’re a blessing,and I appreciate ya! 🙂
I appreciated your article as it deeply resonated with me. I too suffer from neck and back pain and fibromyalgia. It can be a grind to face pain and tiredness each day. But as you write it is where we park our minds that will determine if we make the best or worst of our circumstances. Turning to God and his word is a blessed place to rest , as we drink of his living water and be refreshed. Thanks for the post
Praise the Lord, I’m glad it was a blessing to you! It’s a daily battle, but with deep roots in the word and drawing our strength from Christ we can win. Praying for you as you suffer and push through to bring glory to God! Blessings to ya!
Great post! Thank you for being so honest with your struggles, yet being perseverant on working on them and making the best of things despite them! This post is useful not only to me when I’m having a weary, or stressful day, but also to those of my friends struggling with chronic illnesses as well.
Praise the Lord! Thank you for the feedback, you’re a blessing! 🙂
Love love the thought “where I park my mind”! So true!!
It is definitely true! The more we ponder our problems the more inclined we are to pout instead of praise and preach and fulfill our purpose. Blessings to ya!
Thank you, Anne, for sharing your struggles. I am so encouraged by your strength in pressing into God through it all. You are amazing. May tge Lord continue to strengthen you. Blessings.
Thank you for your kind words, but every bit of the strength comes from the Lord alone. His word makes all the difference in the world! Blessings to ya!