Tired and Weary but the Lord is My Strength

Have you ever felt weighed down by life? Does grief drain your strength? Do you struggle with an illness that makes doing even the most minor things feel like a monumental task? You are not alone. We all have periods where our strength is depleted, and we wonder how we will accomplish what needs to be done.

After my husband passed, the physical toll his death took on me was significant. Honestly, I believe part of it was from grief, and the other part was simply a release after the ups and downs of his illness. Once the fight was over, my body said, "That's enough". I remember the intense fatigue that enveloped me for weeks after he passed. When I say God carried me through, I mean it.

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, there was a year of tests, chemo, radiation, more tests, more chemo, and immunotherapy. Eventually, his body just had enough. During all of that, I spent many days attending appointments and staying home with him when he had bad days, even with the help of family and friends. By the time he went on hospice, I had exhausted all my leave and made the choice to quit my job so I could be with him for whatever time was left. During everything, my job was so supportive. The grace, understanding, and support that was shown was such a gift. Even when I chose to quit, they held my job for a few weeks. My husband only lasted about two weeks after that. I went back to work two weeks later and remember thinking, "How am I supposed to work when the grief was so raw, and everything was such an effort?". Even then, my job was so supportive, and they worked with me until things evened out a bit.

Over the last three years, I have had periods of significant fatigue, aching joints, and brain fog. It doesn't happen as often now, but when it does, it makes even the simplest task difficult. What has been amazing to see is how God gives me the strength needed exactly when needed. One instance sticks out where that was very evident. About six months after my husband passed, it became apparent that I needed to sell our house. It required lots of work, and I did not have the finances or the knowledge to take care of it. The grief was still so fresh, and the fatigue was very real. I remember working all day and then taking a load of boxes to my new place, going home, and loading my car back up for the next day. I did this for days. God gave me the strength needed every day to do what needed to be done. Once I finished moving, my body said, "Enough", and it took a little time to recoup my strength.

God has been so faithful, and He promises to give strength to all those who wait on Him. If you are going through a season of grief or weariness, here are some scriptures to encourage you.

"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

"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

"Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." - Psalm 28: 6-7

Father God,

Please be with my dear friend reading this. Thank you for the strength you give all those who love you and put their faith in you. Thank you for the rest you give to those who are weary. Please be with them this week. To all those overwhelmed with grief or sickness, may they find strength and healing in you. Go with them and give them peace.

In Jesus's name,

Amen

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.