Weariness

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

As I met with students this week, one theme emerged—weariness. Everyone was tired, not just physically, but emotionally.  And a number admitted to spiritual dryness as well.  

When we are tired physically, it affects us emotionally and spiritually.  The toll of an academic year, months of stress at work or at home, or an extended time of crisis builds up and, without appropriate attention, begins to impact us emotionally and spiritually.

I remember at the end of the previous academic year, I was exhausted. Months of pouring my life into others had taken its toll.  I did not feel very close to the Lord. Did I have some deep spiritual problem?  No.  I was just tired and my weariness was impacting how I felt.  

Satan loves to take advantage of our weariness and play with our minds and emotions.  He wants us to believe we are far from God because when we believe that, we are less likely to pursue Him.  We feel guilty and the guilt can push us to move away from Him.  But it is a great deception! He dupes us through our feelings.  We feel far away from the Lord so therefore we conclude we are.  

However, our feelings are not necessarily indicators of reality.  We often still feel guilty about sin we have confessed when the Scriptures say sin that we confess is forgiven (I John 1:9).  Our hope must be placed not in our feelings, but in the Lord who promises to renew our strength.

Today, if you are feeling weary, be aware of Satan’s great deception. Seek out the Lord and put your hope in Him.  He will renew your strength and you will likely feel a lot closer to Him. 

© Jim Musser 2014