Strength for the Weary

Floyd is resting well.  The doctor told me he is comfortable and peaceful.  That is certainly an answer to prayer and I was so grateful to hear that.  

On the journey of recovery I'm on, I continue to have good days and not-so-good days.  I hope and pray for more of the good days.  I'll be the first to admit that I don't like being weak!  I don't need to be superwoman, but I like to have enough strength and energy to get through my daily activities.  Some days that isn't possible.

I've told the Lord that I'd really appreciate it if He'd help my strength to return more quickly.  As He's so often done on the unexpected journey we're on - He turned my attention to things I can learn during this time.  He truly doesn't waste any of our sorrows, but uses them to help us learn and grow.

The first thing He spoke to my heart is that in weakness as I come to Him, it allows Him to be strong.  The focus is on Him, not me.  There is something very precious about admitting my weakness and allowing His power and strength to help me.  In my weakness, it draws me closer to His heart of love and care for me.  And He is always sufficient!  The well of His strength never runs dry.

He also showed me that there is new humility to be learned in weakness.  I need help in my current situation.  I can't make it on my own.  I have to humbly ask and receive help from friends around me.  I'm so grateful for the love and care of my friends - and I'm humbled by it.  It's okay to not be strong!

I've also had to learn that many things won't get done.  I try to ask the Lord for His priorities for each day.....and not stress about the things that don't get my attention.  When things are staring you right in the face, I find it hard to not stress about them - but I have to focus on the things the Lord draws my attention to.

As I look back over the last few years of this journey, I think about all the "hard" things along the way.  It warms my heart to see that in each hard thing, God taught me so many important lessons.  He drew me closer to Himself, and His grace was sufficient for each thing I faced.  Yes, there have been many points of weakness......that thing I don't like.  But at each of those points He has helped me learn and grow.  He has been faithful to me in each thing I've faced.

" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.....For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9,10

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."  Isaiah 40:29 

"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

I guess what I'm saying is that in every "season" of this journey - both good things and hard, difficult things - God has used what I've walked through to teach me and draw me closer to Himself.  Keeping my eyes on Him, even thanking Him for everything, requires a deep level of trust.  I'm learning to trust Him more and more.  It's an important part of this journey.

As in so many places around the world, the Covid virus is raging around us.  In the midst of dealing with all the impacts of the pandemic, and the political turmoil, and various other stresses - it's easy to become weary.  I find it helpful and encouraging to remind myself of God's abundant, never-ending, faithful provision to us.

-  He is our strength when we're weak.

-  He has sufficient grace for every need we face.

-  He bears our sorrows and comforts us when we're heavy hearted.

-  He carries our burdens that we cast on Him.

-  He restores our wounded hearts.

-  He heals our sickness and infirmity.

-  He loves and accepts us just as we are.

-  He is always with us, never leaving us, Emmanuel.

-  He is unchanging - no worry about Him being different tomorrow.

-  He is full of mercy.

-  He gives us peace that passes understanding.

-  He is our counselor for the problems we face.

-  He is eternally faithful - we can depend on Him.

-  He rewards us when we diligently seek Him.

-  He gives wisdom when we ask.

-  He delivers us from evil, protects us from the enemy.

-  He is our hope when all seems hopeless.

-  He is at work to complete the work He began in us.

-  He is our Redeemer, lifting the burden of sin from our hearts.

-  He blesses us with all spiritual blessings.

-  He is our joy no matter what we face.

-  He fills us with His Holy Spirit.

The list is truly endless.  He is right beside us, holding our hand and helping us with whatever the day brings our way.  I couldn't make it without Him.  I'm so grateful for His provision for every need I face.

"My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."  Psalm 23:1

I am overwhelmed by God's goodness and mercy.  He is there to meet our every need.  He is so faithful!