Weary Me

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us know this verse well. It’s all about honoring God, doing our best, and trusting Him to see us through. We know it. We hear it. We believe it. What happens, however, when that verse doesn’t quite feel like enough? When it’s been just one too many days? When your last nerve has been stepped on just one too many times? When you’re unable to hold back the tears any longer? When accepting defeat almost feels relieving? Anything but this place. Anything but this state of being. What do you do when weariness seems inevitable?

I’ve dealt with this many of times: trying to push pass negative feelings but failing, wondering if complacency is really that bad, even entertaining lies that tell me God’s promises aren’t really for me. I allow myself to lose hope and confidence. I question myself and my circumstance. I wonder, for a moment, if God really knows what He’s doing. Why on earth would God tell us not to give up when He knew how hard it’d be not to?

Loving Him

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The more I learn about Christ, usually though the various trials and storms I face, the more I realize how chill He is. The juxtaposition of my frantic and exhausted spirit with His calming and all-knowing spirit is striking. I fight and push and try and fail all while He rests, looks on, and waits for me to turn to Him. As I scold myself, wishing I could hold on better, keep my attitude more in check, or even choose gratitude more often than tantrums, He sits there patiently until I wear myself out. When I get just weary enough to turn my attention back on Him, it’s there that I’m taught, once again, about His long-lasting love.

His love.

It’s His love that calls me righteous, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it (Philippians 3.9). It’s His love that prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5). It’s His love that keeps a hedge of protection around me (Psalm 91). It’s His love that encourages me (Deuteronomy 31:8). It’s His love that convicts me, molding me into the person He saw while I was still in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13; 15-16). It’s His love that provides an abundance of mercy and goodness to follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6). It’s His love that empathizes and understands me when no one else does (Hebrews 4:15-16). It’s His love that never fails to provide comfort (Psalm 119:76). He brings His promises to mind, challenging me to remember that last time He rescued me, favored me, and covered me (Hebrews 8:10). If He did it before, isn’t He faithful enough to do it again?

This post is a plea, for all of us, to breathe. To remember that we aren’t doing this life alone. We have a Heavenly Father more than willing to help us, guide us, direct us, and mature us. Will we let Him? Will we learn the patience, the discipline, and the humility necessary to become our best selves? Will we accept the promises of God even when they don’t seem yet applicable to our lives? Will we choose to believe God loves us, even in the depths of our sins and mistakes?

My prayer is that each and every one of you know that you’re okay. Know that no amount of weariness can separate you from the love and promises of God (Romans 8:38). Know that no matter how hard the trial may be, it serves to produce the endurance and patience needed for your elevation (James 1:2-4). Know that no matter how far it may seem, God’s promises are still yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). Know that though you stumble, doubt, and sometimes even fall, the righteous (which you are in Him) do indeed get back up (Proverbs 24:16).

Take your eyes off of yourself and place them on Him, twenty somethings ❤️

CHALLENGE: Take a verse from this post or in your own study and meditate on it for a week. Aim to memorize it, if you can. What does it say about Him? What does it say about you? Write it down and revisit it often. You can’t trust God, like He wants you to, until You learn who He is and how He feels about you. See who He is and test Him on it.