Intro:
Podcast:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zw1t961Gmvb
There is a season that comes upon every believer when our strength and hope seems to fail us. Are you walking through a difficult time in your journey? Spiritual weariness and turmoil come upon us as we face the trials, tribulations, and daily demands of life. The main purpose of this post is to encourage you as you face these dry and trying seasons of life.
The Common Causes of Weariness
Cause 1: Busy Society and Work Demands
A simple explanation for our weariness comes from the numerous demands of modern life. Our many “time-saving” technological wonders often keep us connected to our jobs, family, and “social media.” We can at any moment see how “perfect” others’ lives seem to be on Facebook, Instagram, etc. Others seem to have the perfect house, job, career, fitness, family, or ministry, and etc. We get jealous and envious and forget God’s blessings as we see how much better someone else seems to be or have.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the constant barrage of ads, email messages, work demands, social issues, and bad news? This is the weapon of the enemy. He works to wear us down and distract us from seeking God’s Truths. When we are tired, we are often less willing to actively listen and interact with others. Our prayer lives suffer and we invest less time in God’s Word.
You may be in a situation whereby you are working long hours or have multiple jobs to survive. Perhaps you’re a mother with a young child that requires most of your time and energy to nurture. You may be giving your best effort and seeking to serve others, but feel tired and weary.
Cause 2: Lack of Adequate Physical Rest, Forgetting the Concept of Sabbath
When I get tired physically, I have to consider how many hours of sleep have I been getting. When I get emotionally and spiritually weary, how am I feeding myself in God’s Word and through others’ sermons/teaching? God gives us abundant life, so why do we often feel stretched thin and weary? Perhaps it’s because we neglect to set a day aside for sabbath rest. God establishes the Sabbath to provide rest for His people. This concept begins in the Garden of Eden and goes to Revelation. Rest is an vital component to well-being.
Solutions:
- Ask God for discernment and wisdom in your life! Knowing your purpose and identity in Christ assists you in making wise choices. Eliminate distractions, set priorities.
- Set aside time daily for God’s Word–to read, pray over, and evaluate how to apply the truths to your life. Adrian Rogers and other reputable pastors have numerous sermons on Youtube. I will often post helpful ones that I have watched on Facebook.
- Plan for rest after extended periods of difficulty or draining activities/responsibility. Give yourself a day each week to rest in God’s presence.
“When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God.”
Luis Palau
Trusting in God
Are you trusting in God for your source of life? Only God can give us life abundantly! Anyone or anything else ultimately will fail us. Only the Creator can sustain the creation!
Jeremiah describes the curses of trusting in humans and the blessings of trusting in God. Jeremiah 17:5-8
The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
5This is what the LORD says:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind,
who makes the flesh his strength
and turns his heart from the LORD.
6He will be like a shrub in the desert;
he will not see when prosperity comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
8He is like a tree planted by the waters
that sends out its roots toward the stream.
It does not fear when the heat comes,
and its leaves are always green.
It does not worry in a year of drought,
nor does it cease to produce fruit.
Trusting in God nourishes our lives! Jeremiah uses an image of a tree near a stream that can access the life sustaining water during dry times. This tree produces fruit and therefore sustains other living things. Are you like the shrub or the tree? Where are your roots seeking nourishment?
Self-awareness and Inner Turmoil
Self-awareness and looking inward tends to lead to turmoil. God’s Will is that we be complete in Him! Completeness is found only in Christ! Do you feel despair when you look inward? Then maybe it’s time to start looking up instead of inside!
Come to Christ, bring it all to His Mercy Throne! Let’s abide with the Author of Life, who gives life abundantly! Take a moment to read John Chapter Ten.
We must immediately and frequently remove all obstacles between us and Christ. Is it a past hurt, then ask for grace to let it go and be made whole in Christ–Our Healer!
Constantly seeking the will of God? Facing doubts about God
Ever ask the questions that have already been answered? God’s Word explains God’s character, nature, and how He desires that we live. The Ten Commandments, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Gospels, and Paul’s New Testament Letters (Epistles) are but a few examples of how God reveals His plan for living for His glory. When you are struggling, remember the mercy, grace, and love of your Savior! Pray through/meditate on Psalms 103, 117, and 145!
Here’s a beautiful song about how God reaches out to us during the darkness:
Remember that Jesus brings rest, peace, hope, comfort, and grace! It’s our vicious enemy that brings darkness, confusion, anxiety, and doubts.
May God grant you rest and peace as you find solace in His Presence! For His glory and your encouragement, I write these words. Reach out to me if you need a kind ear!
Words of Grace, Truth, and Hope 