The Strong and the Tired

I’ve seen images and read the words of women who are worn out from the fight. It’s a battle that seems to have no end, yet they keep fighting. I ashamedly admit I used to quickly scroll past their tired faces, and barely glance at their hope-filled words. We live in a culture where vulnerability is somehow unattractive. I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to know about their long, tired days filled with doctor appointments or feelings of inadequacy because they aren’t able to care for others like they are cared for. I couldn’t understand their pain and fear, or how they keep winning the battle.

Until now.

Now I stop and read their stories. I am encouraged by their faith and by their inner strength.  It’s the kind of strength that can only come from the Spirit within. I know, because now I walk in their shoes.

And it’s okay.

In times of illness, or the unbearable pain of life’s circumstances, God gives us hope.  His light shines out of darkness.

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

Out of darkness. Not in darkness but out of.  It is important to look closely at this one preposition. To be out of is to be away from. With Christ, we are not in darkness, we are away from it!

Through pain and suffering, the message of Christ is made known.

I remember a time when dear friend was going through radiation and chemotherapy for breast cancer. I once reminded her – you have cancer.  She looked at me, chuckled and said, “I know, but I’m okay.” Through her treatments, surgeries and pain, her ministry to others grew. The Light shone brightly out of her darkness.

Don’t lose heart. God is at work.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.

Our earthly bodies may be weakened by brokenness, but God is strengthening our spirit so that his power can be seen in us. God does not promise an easy life, but he does promise that He has overcome this world (John 16:33).

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 7

Rest up. God wants to use you. Share on X

Rest is complicated. Our bodies and minds can be consumed by the day-to-day struggles that come with our bodily weakness. I wish I had the answer getting the we need to keep going strong, but I don’t. What I do know for certain is that when you battle illness, you need to make rest a priority.

The days of getting by on little sleep and still being able to work, work, work, are over.  If I am going to be effective in my work, in my ministry and be the wife and mom God intends for me to be, I have to rest up.

Practically that means I get in bed at an hour that will allow me enough hours of sleep. I give up on activities that will wear my body down. I say no to long hours at work and bringing work home. More times than I would like, I say no to ministry work outside of what I know I can handle.

It’s not always easy.  I miss late-night card games with family when they visit. I cheer on the sidelines instead of play at church kickball tournaments. At times, I am criticized because it seems I am not as committed to my job as others. Perhaps the most difficult change is saying no to something you used to flourish at.

Rest takes discipline, it’s not a punishment.  Remember, God is at work in you. He uses every circumstance for our good.

If we don’t rest when our bodies need it, we will miss out on the opportunities God has planned for us.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-15

Future hope – you can see it.

We must look beyond our present circumstances to experience rest and peace. Share on X

“So we fix are eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18.

As children of God, we are promised new body (2 Corinthians 5). Amen! I need a new body. But as I wait anxiously, God wants to use my broken body. He wants to use your brokenness too. Though you may be weak, his power will work in you.

“In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

It is my hope and prayer that you know Christ as your Lord and Savior. If not, I pray you are compelled to say yes to a life following him. As you seek him you will find comfort in times of trouble, rest when you are weary and hope for the future. He is everything here and now, and for eternity.