Exhausted. It’s a mom during a 2 AM feeding for her crying newborn. Weary. The guy working third shift to make ends meet. Tired. The college student pulling an “all-nighter” to complete a paper for a class at 7 AM. Worn out. The family that’s trying to help their loved one overcome addiction. Burned-out. The boss who can’t meet payroll. Drained. The couple who wonders if they should end their marriage.
**Today’s blog post is an excerpt from our 30-day Devotional You Are Not Alone.
Fatigue
Fatigue can make us fearful, doubtful, and depressed. It’s one thing to be physically tired. It’s another thing to be so weary at the soul level that you lie awake at night staring at the ceiling. You’re so exhausted you can’t sleep. That’s tiring.
What can you do when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? Take a glimpse into David’s life.
David was exhausted from being in conflict with people.
Psalm 57:6
David was weary from an all-night sob fest.
Psalm 6:6
David was worn out from waiting.
Psalm 119:81
David was tired of the toxic people around him.
Psalm 120:6
David was broken from a weary soul.
Psalm 63:1
David was tired of God’s heavy hand on him.
Psalm 39:10
Sometimes it feels like God is actively working against us. It’s in these times, we seek God’s rest.
What’s God’s answer for you when you’re exhausted? More work? Trying harder to do better?
Rest for the Weary
God’s answer is rest. He gives rest for your mind, your body, and your soul. How can we practically activate this rest?
1. Set a stopping time for your work. Your body will give you the stopping point and give out on you otherwise. God gives rest for your body. “My body rests in safety.” (Psalm 16:9)
2. Look for the natural rhythms God gives you. Don’t be a martyr. No one wins awards for making things harder on themselves. Instead, work toward peaceful healthy places and spaces in life. Who are healthy encouraging people you can be around? Where are safe places? What drains you? What fills you up? God leads you to peaceful and healthy places naturally. Look for them in your life. Don’t fight against them. “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” (Psalm 23:2)
Flip the Script
If you can worry, you can worship. Whatever narrative you’re telling yourself must change if you want rest.
Replace: “I’ve got to try harder” with “God is working for my best when I’m at rest.”
“God gives rest to his loved ones.”
Psalm 127:2
Replace: “People in my life are dangerous and can’t be trusted” with “God is my safe space and place.
”I“… live in the shelter of the Most High … find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
Replace: “Nothing ever works out for me” with “God is ever and always good to me.”
“…the Lord has been good to me.” (Psalm 116:7)
What kind of rest do you need from God today?
Taking It Further
Today’s Bible Reading: Psalm 127
What does God say about rest? (verse 2)
One of the reasons you may find yourself so exhausted is that you may be doing more of drains you than what fills you up. Take a few minutes to answer the following questions.
What drains you?
What fills you up?
Which are you doing more of—what drains you or what fills you up?
If you picked what drains you, then there needs to be a change. Write down some ways you can get more of what fills you up into your weekly schedule.
For More Encouragement
If you enjoyed this devotional, be sure to check out You Are Not Alone as well as our other devotionals.
You can also check out my post, Have You Ever Tried a Sabbath Day?
