Recently, I found myself feeling really weary. I was jaded by constant challenges coming from every direction. I was fed up of fighting battles. I was tired of having to push and press. It was one thing after another and I wanted a break.
The thing is, doing the will of God doesn’t usually drain us. Jesus said, “My burden is light and my yoke is easy.” Fulfilling our purpose is more likely to energise than exhaust. It’s not getting the job done that wearies us, it’s more often the setbacks and hurts along the way that wear us out.
Not again!
I didn’t want to hear another, “No,” or, “Not this time.” I didn’t want to have to fight for every inch of advancement. Just once, I wanted to see miraculous breakthrough before I even asked. I wanted everything to work out and I wanted God’s promises to fall into my lap.
The Bible gives us two opposing instructions when it comes to weariness. That’s why we need to understand exactly what’s going on inside so that we can take the right scriptural medicine.
Get refreshed
Matthew 11:28- says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
When we are spent and flagging from the fray, Jesus says something like this, “Come and spend some time in My presence. Pour out your heart before me. Offload on Me and then I will fill you up afresh.”
So I did just that. I pulled myself aside and poured out my heart to Jesus. I told Him I was fed up of fighting and tired of struggling. I cried, then I sat in His presence and worshipped.
We know that refreshing comes from the Lord but there’s no sweeter time to be replenished in His presence than when we were weary.
He breathed new life into my heart and restored my soul. But it didn’t stop there. My spirit was revived but my mind still needed renewing.
Get up
The other New Testament instruction about tiredness is in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Here we are warned of the dangers of giving in to tiredness. We have to make a choice to get up and go again. We need to kick every trace of discouragement out of our life and remind ourselves once more of His promises.
I got hold of God’s word again and spoke strength to myself: “Jo, you are well able, you were designed for this. Every purpose and plan God has for you shall stand!”
The thing is, this journey is a fight and it is a marathon. But there are water holes for refreshing all the way there. If you are feeling dry or burned out, it’s time to get revived in His presence then get back up to go again.
If you would like the Holy Spirit to rejuvenate you from the inside out, I encourage you to read (and then re-read) 30 Day Detox for your Soul and come along to Healed for Life, you will be amazed at the depth of restoration and refreshing you will receive.
