I hope you and your loved ones are safe in these crazy times. If any tragedy has come to your home, I pray God's peace and love envelops you right where you are. I pray that you rely on His unending love, mercy, grace, and strength in this time of hardship...
I am, like most people, feeling very jaded. I have experienced more highs and lows in such intense frequencies now than any other time I can remember. I believe this is why the Lord has me sharing this...
I had planned to write about loving people and what it looks like in different seasons. However, I felt a nudge that I should be sharing about the hope I have despite feeling jaded. To make sure we are on the same page about what I mean when I say jaded, here are two definitions from Merriam Webster's dictionary:
1: fatigued by overwork: EXHAUSTED
2: made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience or by having or seeing too much of something
I can identify with both definitions. In this season, I find myself emotionally drained because of the heaviness of things around me. To start with the pandemic, to my pending wedding, to hearing about mass shootings, deaths, injustice, and today a flood in a city that's near to my heart has left me dry and worn-out. I have found myself feeling physically drained, spiritually dry, and emotionally empty. I find I have been far more easily irritated than ever before. In all of this, I started doing some self-reflection and asking myself why? Why do I feel this weary? Which led me on a self-discovery/re-discovery trip.
I am a huge advocate for self-reflection with the help of the Holy Spirit. I am very careful to search myself in light of the Word of God as opposed to a self-imposed standard. I consciously and intentionally allow God to do the searching and digging. I do this because self-reflection can only be good if you recognize your shortcomings alongside with a gentle reminder of your identity. Unfortunately, self-reflection on its own can only point out your flaws without a word of hope or encouragement. That is when and how the Holy Spirit rescues me. He reminds me that my emotions, my weakness, my shortcomings do not define me. He gives me hope that this too shall pass. The Holy Spirit reminds me that He is the great helper, counselor and that I am loved. That in itself is half the battle. Then what? Do I stay there?
Then, friends, you are to rely on His promises, to talk to and pray with loved ones near and far. What are some of His promises? Here are some verses that help and point me back to Him:
"28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 28 - 31
"28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Another thing you might want to do is have loved ones pray with and for you in this season. You need a community! I thank God for my loving, caring, and Godly man along with my family & friends that keep me in their prayers.
And lastly, here is a song from Elevation worship that so ministers to me: O Come to the Altar | Live
Please know that you are not alone in this season of feeling weary. There are so many people that love and care for you. More importantly, Jesus loves you and He is only one prayer away.
Stay Blessed<3
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