Tired of Being Weary

“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
    as it burst from the womb,
and as I clothed it with clouds
    and wrapped it in thick darkness?
For I locked it behind barred gates,
    limiting its shores.
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
    Here your proud waves must stop!’

Job 38:8-11 

Have you ever been so discouraged that you wondered what God was doing?  I have.  To be honest, when I get discouraged my porcupine personality makes its appearance.  I can be irritable and, if the reactions are to be believed, crabby.  I have spent many an hour talking with God about the reasons I have felt discouraged and burned out.  And, unlike those who have turned away from me, God has a wonderful sense of loving humor. This morning was one of those times where I felt like just another kick in the face.  Then when I pulled up the devotion for this morning, God reminded me of something:

I'm NOT God.....therefore, I'm not the one in control of everything or everyone.  As a matter of fact, I mess things up far more often than I get them right, so I need to let God do His job!  And guess what?  When I stop trying to do God's job, then I feel much more at ease with His plans.

God put EVERYTHING and EVERYONE where HE needs them for HIS purposes.  The only thing I need to do is keep the conversation open and be ready to step up and walk alongside someone who may be as discouraged and defeated as I have felt.  God comforts us so we can comfort others....how about that?

Remember!

Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
    For though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be my light.

Micah 7:8 

 

"This has been one of those weeks, Padre.  I feel like I have been in a battle with a horde of angry wives." 

 

"I feel like I have been gut punched."

 

"I can't remember when I stopped caring about anything."

 

"I feel like I have nothing left in me."

 

These are just some of the things I have been told JUST THIS YEAR!  They sound depressing and distressing.  These folks felt as if they had been defeated.  Why?  Because this year has not been a good one for them.  Because of the deadlines; the headlines; the acting out of idiots; the constant onslaught of the of family struggles, daily pressures, financial struggles.....life had become overwhelming.

 

Ever feel overwhelmed and defeated by life? Ever feel like the enemy is laughing because you've been knocked down?

 

Read carefully Micah's words!  "Do NOT gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I WILL RISE AGAIN!"  And why will we rise again?  "the LORD will be my light!"

 

Here's a fact that has never been proven to be wrong:  The darkest of darkness CANNOT hide a single light.  God truly is our light and our strength and our salvation!  We may get knocked down, but as God's children He will never allow us to be defeated.  We may feel overwhelmed, but as God's Children He pulls us from the depths of despair!

 

When life comes at you, and it will, talk with God!  It also helps if you already have an ongoing conversation with Him.  If you're not yet on speaking terms, don't be too stubborn to start speaking!  

"And Then It Hit Me......And It Hit Me Again......"

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Psalm 43:5

When I was in elementary school, I was one of those kids who had trouble sitting still and keeping quiet.  On one of my "talking during quiet time" incidences, the class was supposed to be working on an writing an essay.  I was caught talking to the person in front of me who wouldn't respond to me.  Since I was the one talking, I was sent to stand in the hall as punishment.  As if that was not enough, while I was standing in the hallway, my Mom (who was a substitute teacher at my elementary school) came walking around the corner.

I learned something about the physical properties of the human body that day: Try though you might, you cannot make yourself invisible.  My Mom saw me in the hallway, and immediately wanted to know why.  Upon hearing my reply, I heard those dreaded words, "we'll discuss this further when your father gets home."  This was the moment where your mind plays that dramatic BOM Bom baaaaaa.  And your stomach lets you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are in for a very bad day.

Ever had one of those days, weeks, months or even year when nothing seemed to go right?  Even feel like your life just keeps crashing down around you no matter how hard you try?

Ever feel like you're the punching bag for the heavyweight boxing champion to work his frustrations out on?

Me too.  And some days, it is physically painful to have to plaster on a smile and make everyone to believe you're okay.  Because, after all, being a believer means all our problems are solved and everything in our lives is just absolutely perfect.....right?

I wish I could tell you that being a Christian makes everything perfect.  But my experience has been quite the opposite.  In fact, there are points in my life where I am unsure why I'm still here.  But I can tell you this without hesitation: every single event that makes up my life has been for a reason.  The Master has taken this block of stone and has been chipping away in order to form me into who He has chosen me to be.  

Have I enjoyed it?  Hmmmmm.......NO!

Have I learned from it?  I've picked up bits and pieces here and there.

Have I ever been discouraged?  Uhhh.....YEAH!

But God has ALWAYS reminded me that He's got me, and THAT brings everything back into focus.

Too Tired? Too Weary?

Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.

Matthew 11:28 

 

You've seen the look.  Perhaps you've seen it in others.  Perhaps you've seen it in the mirror.  The deep-set eyes rimmed with shadows, the energy drained out of every pore of skin, the distant gaze of the soul weary.  It comes from fighting to do what's right against the onslaught of the apathetic or those who are just determined that what is right is not going to happen.  It's the look we have when we have been hammered by life's situations for so long that we are wondering if another breath is worth taking.  We've worn the mask of "everything's okay" for far too long.

 

We need a break.  We need a rest.  We need time to be restored and recharged.  We need to be able to laugh again.  We need time to play.  We need to remember what Happy truly feels like.  Yet the toil continues without respite.

 

Look carefully at the words of Christ: "Wear My yoke - for it fits perfectly - and let Me teach you."  We struggle when we are trying to wear a yoke that doesn't fit us.  What happens if you wear shoes that are too tight?  Your feet hurt terribly and walking becomes difficult.  What happens if you wear shoes that are too big?  They rub your skin until blisters form and walking becomes difficult.

 

We have talked about the curse we have brought on ourselves called "Busyness."  The curse of busyness also brings the curse of an ill-fitting yoke. This is not the yoke that Jesus intends for us to wear.  Jesus intends for us to wear the yoke that fits perfectly which is found in relationship with Him.  And when we have relationship with Christ, we will experience Isaiah 40:31:

 

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint."

 

Tired of being weary? I am.