I’ve been sick a lot over the past month. As soon as I start to feel better from one ailment another one 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.
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.”
Psalm 119:28 KJV ~ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
From my head to my heart
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, my heart believed those words, and I sank further into defeat.
Coming to terms with the fact that I’m not capable of doing it all is hard, humbling, and at times it’s downright heartbreaking. It’s not easy to admit that I’m weak, I need help, and I can’t do everything that I want to do. I want to do it all and I want to do it all well.
But the reality is that I have chronic pain from multiple back issues, and I suffer from Fibromyalgia. I’m at the mercy of my body on a daily basis.
Psalm 73:26 KJV ~ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Strength for the weary
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 served as a trigger to my soul to turn to the Lord for the strength I need when I am weary.
The Lord spoke that one word straight to my heart this morning… strength. With that, the floodgates were opened and the water of the word washed me clean from my feelings of defeat and discouragement.
Psalm 94:19 KJV ~ In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Jesus reminded me that no matter what the circumstances look like I have a choice. I can choose to filter my thoughts through what I know to be true in the word of God. Or I can believe those lies from the devil. I can choose to pray through each and every issue and ailment and seek the Lord’s presence and power. Or I can worry, cry, and complain about my situation.
The difference between victory and defeat is where I decide to park my mind. Click To Tweet
Choose Spiritual Stability
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 can help my spiritual stability.
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. Click To TweetI have to apply the word the Lord has been pressing on my heart for weeks now… believe. Because it’s not enough for me to just know the truth. I have to actually believe it, stand on it, apply it, and speak it to have spiritual stability and be strong when I am weary.
I have to remember where my strength comes from and believe that His grace is enough. Click To TweetPsalm 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.
Pray for strength when you’re weary
When I get weary and worn I pray, and pray, and pray some more. I pray for clarity, strength, a renewed mind, a guarded heart, and for help prioritizing the Lord’s will for my life. This helps relieve the pressure of a packed schedule and unrealistic expectations that I place on myself. It gives me peace in the midst of the pain.
When I am weary and need strength, I also feed my spirit with sermons, praise music, and scriptures. I reach out to my trusted prayer partners for intercessory prayer.
I also pray for everyone and everything I can think of. Because I may not be able to set up chairs at church, or meet with a young lady for discipleship, or write a Bible study lesson that day, but I can pray.
I just do what I can, and let the Lord cover me with grace for the rest.
The Spirit gives strength to the weary
The Spirit of the living God who dwells within me gives me the ability to fight against the fog and fatigue and the pull of the flesh. He enables 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 I’m able to do what the Lord desires me to.
And I’m learning to let that be enough.
Psalm 138:3 KJV ~ In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Strength for the Weary
I hope that sharing my battles and how Jesus gives me strength is a blessing to you. My prayer is that each post encourages you to know the living word and equips you to walk in victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil.
An intimate walk with Christ and glory to God is the ultimate goal. I pray the Lord would shine His light into any darkness in your life, and revive your spirit, restore your zeal, and give you strength when you’re weary.
May the peace of God rule in your heart and the joy of the Lord be your strength.
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.
More articles for strength and Help in time of need:
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
New Resource Library
I have also created a resource library with tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple. There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization, and more Bible study tools will be added regularly.
Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password.
You will also get my blog posts in your email, in addition to access to these Bible study resources. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.
If you are already subscribed to Daily His Disciple, just email me and I will send you the link and password!
Pray With Confidence
Prayer is vital for strength when you are weary. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, you should check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the 40 monthly 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!