Weary

I am finding it more difficult to post on my blog because I always stop myself from putting too much of myself out there. And I really don't want it to be a place where I vent or get too emotional.

However, I am dealing with something I know all people deal with, and that is weariness. Weariness can come from many different avenues. It could come from simply being up too late, having a full and eventful weekend, or taking care of a newborn or lots of children at once. But weariness can also come from a deeper place. A place of emotional instability in losing a loved one, changing or losing a job, or relationship uncertainty.

The weariness that I am feeling, as many Christians do, is a spiritual one. And right now I am trying to figure out how long it's going to last for me personally. And the battle is not just one particular thing; it's relational, it's transition, it's change, it's the tongue. Bottom line, it's simply making sure I am following the will of God in ALL that I say and do.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. be angry, and yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Eph. 4:25-27

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Eph. 4:29

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Eph. 4:32

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Gal. 5:16

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil. 4:8

These verses that God commands of us are so difficult! And of course those are just the VERY tip of the iceberg! To those who think becoming a Christ follower makes life easier is naive! There are definitely times of peace and rest, but look at David, running from his enemies - his own son! And look at Elijah. God gave him rest, but only for a time; a few short days. When you are with God, asking Him to use you, it is never a dull moment.  But it is a battle NOT to become weary and NOT to became disillusioned and lost in the details of life on earth.  It makes me long for the day I can rest forever in glory with Jesus.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Gal. 6:9

And what I am finding is that the battle is harder when it is among the believers than when it is with unbelievers. You realize that you can give the excuse for non-believers that "they know not what they do" because they do not have the Lord's spirit within them to tell them otherwise. You can definitely deal with those whom you know just don't get it. But us within the church (and I mean that as a whole in the sight of the Lord), should know better and do better because we should, and I stress that word should, know what the Word of God says.

More often than not, in our culture anyway, I find that people reject the gospel because of the way they've been treated by Christians.  So sad.  "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35    

The battle is against the spiritual forces of evil.  I must not grow weary of doing good.  I must put on my armor of God EVERY day, every MORNING, because only God knows when that phone will ring, when that child will throw a tantrum, or that your nerves are just a little shorter today.  You must give Him a chance to prepare you for all the "flaming arrows of the evil one" that will be thrown your way.  

And sometimes, we just have to rest in Him and wait. 

 

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6