ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM WEARINESS?

SCRIPTURE:
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
(Jeremiah 31:25)

MEDITATION:
Do you feel tired and weary?
Physical fatigue can be alleviated through periods of rest, but weariness is the state
of having low energy and tiredness as a result of the condition of the heart and soul.
Those who don’t know the Lord can become weary as a result of their sin.
Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their
tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. (Jeremiah 9:5)
They don’t have the luxury of going to the Lord for renewal
because they don’t know Him.

But Christians can go to God and His Word for restoration from weariness.
What did the Psalmist do when he was weary? He asked God for new strength.
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
(Psalm 119:28)

We read in Isaiah how the Lord provides for those who are weary.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

We are assured that we can receive renewed strength from the Lord.
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.
(Isaiah 40:31)

God tells us that He will restore us.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

If we feel our weariness is a result of serving the Lord, we need to remind ourselves
that what we are doing is for the Lord, and one day we will be rewarded.
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)

ACTION:
So what actions should you take when you become weary?
1. Confess your weariness to the Lord. Don’t try to hide it, just admit it.
I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed
with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. (Psalm 6.6)

2. Go to the Lord to receive rest. Rest is important for both physical fatigue
and spiritual weariness. Continue to eat well and take care of yourself.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

3. Ask the Lord to restore and revive you. He is your greatest Encourager!
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in
green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He
guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

4. Remind yourself that Jesus won’t forget your labors for Him.
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you
have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10)

5. Ask the Lord for joy. Joy is a great remedy for overcoming weariness.
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive,
that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

6. Ask the Lord for the strength He has available for those who are His.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his
understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who
has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted. (Isaiah 40:28-30)

7. Ask the Lord to give you His affection for other people. Seeing the response
of others when you encourage them, can actually benefit you in your
weariness. Learn to be an encourager instead of becoming a critic.
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all
with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:8)

8. Remind yourself that your work for the Lord is not in vain.
Weariness can develop any time you feel your efforts are worthless.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

9. Remind yourself that someday you’ll reap rewards.
Knowing that you have a worthy goal can help you to ‘keep on keeping on’.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

10. Remind yourself of God’s future commendation for your efforts.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have
been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy
of your master.’ (Matthew 25:23)

11. Ensure that God has His proper priority position in your life.
“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you
and crown your efforts with success” (Proverbs 3:6)

12. Learn to think positive thoughts, instead of allowing negative thoughts to
increase your weariness. Focus on the Lord and His endurance.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)