Sunday, December 19, 2010

Women Who Are Weary…


This year, our family has experienced great loss. My husband lost a father a few months ago and a son two weeks ago. Have you experienced the loss of a loved one, a job, or a home this year?

As a result of such a loss, have you prayed a prayer like this…?

“How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day” (Psalm 13:2-4 ESV)? “I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out” (Psalm 6:6-7 NLT).

I’ve prayed this prayer more times than I care to admit. I’ve sobbed at stop lights, faked smiles, and said “I’m okay,” even when I’m not.

Like the author of Psalm 6, have you ever cried so hard your eyes hurt? Has grief blurred your vision to the extent you couldn’t see Jesus through the haze of sadness?

Weariness Depletes Our Energy.

When our bodies become physically worn out, our souls become spiritually worn out. The Bible says grief sneaks up and robs us of strength. Grief empties our energy, takes over, and completely wears us out.

Our reply: I’m not strong enough to handle this.

God’s response: You don’t have to be.

When we are physically exhausted and spiritually weary, we need to…

Find Jesus;

Run to Him;

Wait on Him;

Focus on Him; and

We rest in Him (instead of wearing ourselves out more by asking “Why?”)

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish" (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV).

We can’t find rest on our own. According to Jeremiah, God is the only one who can satisfy and replenish a weary soul. He is our only source of help. No matter how strong we think we are, we will never be strong enough. We need God.

Putting Faith into Action.

When the dense fog of spiritual weariness covers us, we must act before we rest. First we act-- we wait, we look, and we find. Once we draw near to God, he gives the rest we need. The result-- replenished strength, refreshed energy, and a renewed spirit.

I’m not saying the pain instantly disappears. But, we must make the decision to get up every morning, put one foot in front of the other, and honor God in the midst of our pain. This is how mustard seed faith grows.

Sweet friends if you are weary today, get to Jesus. He is the oxygen our soul gasps for. We will suffocate without it.

I know one thing’s for sure, God cares about his baby girls. He knows when we hurt and why we hurt. He cares so much that he made a promise to weary women everywhere. He WILL turn pain into possibility, hope into a future, and toil into triumph.

Remember, God is in the miracle business where all things are possible! “Don’t be sad for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).



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7 comments:

  1. This is such a beautiful post my friend. I just love this line... "He WILL turn pain into possibility, hope into a future, and toil into triumph." I think I'll put that one up on my mirror so I can dwell on it every day. I know in the midst of pain it may seem like just too much for us to put our faith into action, but it's the most important thing to do. If nothing else at all we need to do that. The good thing about finding Jesus is that He's always right there, waiting for us to come to Him. I love being His "baby girl!" Love you!!

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  2. Beautiful post. "Our reply: I’m not strong enough to handle this. God’s response: You don’t have to be." I love that. We do not have to be strong, God is. We are never alone.

    I love being God's baby girl! :) Thank you for this post.

    I am sorry for your loss and will be praying for your family.

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  3. Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for your loss, Kelli. I never know just how to share condolences strong enough for that kind of grief. I am so sorry.
    You're absolutely right - we can't find the rest on our own. It's nothing we can fabricate. It can only come from the Lord who shares our pain, our suffering. Please know that I'm praying for you and your family.
    God Bless.

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  4. Kelli, I'm sorry for the loss you have experienced. But you're absolutely right - we can run to God. We don't have to be strong, because HE is strong. We don't have to pretend to be okay. He knows our pain and He longs to bring comfort and peace. I love that I can always run to Jesus. And I love being His girl. Praying for your family right now!

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  5. It is hard when the holidays approach us and having the lost of a love one, I know the first year my mother passed away it was hard she's been gone two years now and I am much better dealing with it then last year. And I know that because of my relationship with Christ I can rest in Him and He gives me what I need for everyday.

    Also I want to thank you for your comment to my daily devotion I do..As you stated we must be reminded it is amazing how we both write about the same verse that is what happens when our spirits are in tune with the Lord. God bless you and your family this holiday.

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  6. My friend just wrote something that might refresh and encourage you. I have cried that cry, maybe not in words, but God heard them. I am so sorry. I hope your Christmas is not diminished.
    http://kathybeard.blogspot.com/2010/12/taking-spoils.html

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  7. Weariness does seem to take a lot of one's body and spirit. I'm thankful that He's willing to take on my burden's and carry me through!

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