Thursday, December 17, 2009

Weariness

I was discussing weariness with a friend via Facebook and e-mail today. Seems like I know quite a few people who are feeling weary lately. I sent this e-mail to her this evening and just thought I could share it.

"I can so relate to what you are saying. Since we moved (and even before that), I have been so WEARY. Exhausted, spent, done, tired, frazzled, worn out ... I use all those words all the time. Lately, the verse that seems to be swimming in my brain is "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." I know some versions say, "if we faint not." Seems pretty appropriate most days! I beg the Lord to keep me from giving up. I love homeschooling, love my children, but I am weary.

So, in order to quote that verse correctly (usually it rattles around "let us not grow weary in doing good ..." That's about all I can remember right!), I had to look it up online (www.biblegateway.com). Wow, how many awesome verses are there about weariness? Since we're both struggling with this, we're going to study this together. Glad you're on board with this and all. :-)

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the *weary* and increases the power of the weak. - oh my, Lord, give us STRENGTH and increase YOUR power in us, for we surely are weak!!!

Isaiah 40:30 Even youths grow tired and *weary*, and young men stumble and fall; - somehow I find this very encouraging. I feel like I'm getting old. My body is worn out. So, good to know this isn't just an aging thing! :-)

Isaiah 40:31 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. - Let us put our HOPE in the LORD - the maker of heaven and earth. If He can do all He can do, I know He can renew us.

Isaiah 50:4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the *weary*. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. - WOW. I don't know if I've read this one before.

Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the *weary* and satisfy the faint. - You know, many years ago I was so completely convicted that the only true refreshment comes from time with Him. He is our source of strength and refreshing. Whenever we are feeling exhausted, weary ... we need to get on our knees and turn to Him for refreshment.

Lamentations 5:5 Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are *weary* and find no rest. - ok, I had to put this one on here because it's sort of funny. I mean, seriously, don't you feel this way about your kids sometimes? :-)

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are *weary* and burdened, and I will give you rest. - This one says it all and makes me want to lay down, pray and weep. I am WEARY. Please give me rest Lord!!!

Revelation 2:3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown *weary*. - And this is our hope, that one day we will hear these words from our Lord. "Well done my good and faithful servant." We have to keep our eyes fixed on Him. He is our Hope, our Strength, our Goal. :-)

All right, that's all I see at this moment. Please, do your own search and add to this!!! Send it back with your thoughts. We so need to be encouraging each other. I think I will copy all these verses and post them to read daily.

You know, side note, I did not have JOY in my kids a few years back. I spent every day for a year praying that He would give me joy. He did. He can also give us strength and refreshment."


So, please share with us how you find refreshment when you are weary. Do you have other verses that you meditate on?

2 comments:

Halfmoon Girl said...

Some of my favourites:

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; HE GENTLY LEADS THOSE THAT HAVE YOUNG Isaiah 40:11

I heard that verse at a conference a few years back and embraced it! The speaker reminded us moms to go easy and that Jesus understands that our lives are full of raising children and to not guilt trip ourselves about all the things we SHOULD be doing.

When I was homeschooling multiple kids- I was often heard repeating, " I can do ALL things through Him who gives me strength!"

I find that saying scripture out loud gets me through tough times, reading the Word daily, and getting time to exercise by myself helps blow off steam. I also had to learn when to throw in the towel on a homeschooling day and turn it into a field trip, visit to Gramma's etc, instead of beating my head against a wall!

Merry Christmas. Hoping for some relaxation for your heart and soul!

Growing Granite said...

I so needed this today Tonya. Thanks.