I don't know about you, but I've been feeling tired. Extremely tired. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.
It's a tired that you feel like no one else has experienced, maybe like no one cares or understands. A tired you try to hide but it's there and not going away. This tired can bring a strong heaviness, stronger than you can carry sometimes.
I didn't have a plan of what to write. I stared at my blank black screen on my iPhone's notes app, trying and praying for something to share with you. Usually, I get a word or thought from Gods word, or something I watched or heard. At times, the Holy Spirit would lead me to a scripture or passage. I've even been inspired by nonsense going on around me and felt the need to address it, but not this time around. Not in this blog.
I want to get a little vulnerable, somewhat personal with y'all.
I've been struggling a lot with health, finances, a very close loved one that passed away and a lot of other things, things I'd never thought I'd go through.
I never expected so many changes to happen since 2020. Things have not been the same. Yes, the pandemic was one of them, but I'm talking about some personal changes that I didn't see coming.
I questioned God, asking "why me? Why am I the one that has to go through this? How much longer? Haven't I been obeying and doing what you called me to do? Did you leave me? Did I leave you?"
I'm sure I am not the only one that has felt this way. Maybe you feel this way right now. Know that you are not alone. We may not be facing the same battles but remember everyone is fighting something. We all suffer something. We all have grown tired about something.
With that being said, I asked myself, or it may have been the Holy Spirit: What are you going to do in you tiredness?
Pretty deep and interesting question. Physically and mentally my body says, "Well good try. Oh well. Just give up now. There's no reason to fight anymore." But something inside me tells me, "Get up. Take another step. Don't give up."
I know that "something inside me" is the Holy Spirit speaking and reviving my spirit.
God knows we get tired, but He wants to know what you are going to do in your tiredness. Are you going to come to Him and cast your burdens to Jesus (Matthew 11:28 & Psalms 55:22) or are you going to keep doing everything in your feeble strength? Are you going to give up control and wait on the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11 & Isaiah 40:31) or are you going to fight this battle on your own?
There has been a scripture I've been studying because it keeps popping up a lot, that is Isaiah 30:20-21.
"Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left."
This scripture speaks to those who grew secure and fruitful but lost their ear to God. Therefore, God gave them "adversity for food and suffering for drink" not only to humble them but though they may hear and draw close to God again.
I love how one bible study source puts it: "It's better to be uncomfortable and in tune with the Lord than to be comfortable and out of step with God." -Enduring Word
To me, this scripture has spoken to many areas in my life, especially about my past and my future. God has allowed me to face unexpected storms to bring me closer to Him. At times it doesn't make sense, but when you draw near to God and trust Him through the storm, it will all make sense in the end.
Yes, I know you're probably just as shocked as myself when I read, "...the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink." I always thought and was told God will never give you hard things but take a look at a few people in the bible God gave them something that was hard to handle, for the moment.
1. Jacob wrestled with a man (God) and the man touched Jacob's hip and wrenched it out of its socket (Genesis 32:25) By faith Jacob blessed others and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff (Hebrews 11:21)
2. David slept with a married woman and got her pregnant. He fasted and prayed for God not to take the child's life, but God did. Then David got up, washed himself, ate and continued humbly forward in God's plan. (2 Samuel chapter 11 and 12)
3. Samson had God's favor, but he kept playing Russian roulette with his life. He was woman hungry. He didn't take the call of God seriously, that he did like Esau to Jacob, and gave away his birthright, His power that God gave him, all to please a woman. God's favor left him, but God did not abandon Samson. Samson's eyes were gauged out. But his hair, God's strength, grew back and he died killing Philistines with him.
There are others who were humbled in given adversity and suffering. Such as Jesus who was given a mission- to endure the cross, to sacrifice His life to cleanse us of our sins. Jesus walked humbly with the Lord but still had to carry out the mission, His purpose in life.
I'm not saying that all your suffering and adversity was given to you by God, no. I'm saying God will allow these areas to humble you and draw you back to Him.
In your tiredness, draw close to God. In your pain and suffering, draw close to Him right now. There is freedom in His arms. There is power in His words to still the storm. There is strength that will leave him and heal you like the woman with the issue of blood, even like Samson. There is peace that passes all understanding. Don't you want that in your life instead of this overwhelming feeling of tiredness?
My two favorite scriptures I need and hold on to are Galatians 6:9 and Romans 8:28.
"So, let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." -Galatians 6:9
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." -Romans 8:28
Write out scriptures, read a chapter in the bible, give ten minutes in prayer, fast a meal or tv for a day and refocus your mind, refreshen you soul, revive your spirit with God today.
I'm telling myself this because I know that when I give God my tiredness, weariness, worriedness, stress, problems-all of it, He will turn it around like He's done before.
Just remember to tell your storm, your weakness, your financial problem, your family member, your spouse, that lost friend: My God is bigger than anything I (or you) face.
We are more than conquerors ! Chose to fight and watch God work a miracle in your life.
Song of the Week:
Scripture of the Week: "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." -Romans 8:37
I haven't written a blog post in almost a month! I couldn't believe it. I've been busy with a lot, but you know what? I'm glad to be back at it again. I'm hoping to stay on top of writing a post every Friday. Please share with friends, family, co-workers, etc. and get the good news out into the world that everyone may know Jesus Christ is Lord.
Until next time peeps!....
