Are your arms tired?
Do your arms ever get tired? Just tired. You are doing all the things life is asking of you, even enjoying much of it, yet your heart is wondering, “When is life going to get easier because I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this?” The words 'overwhelmed' and 'exhausted' make sense when you pause long enough to name how you actually feel.
As I've sat and listened to others over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a weariness that comes when life circumstances are starting to wear you down. Your time, energy, emotions, or resources are stretched so thin that you find yourself wondering if you will melt into a puddle the next time someone asks how you are.
The toll that comes from watching your parents' memory fade away, your income not covering the bills, ongoing health struggles of your own or your spouse, broken relationships, your dreams and desires not coming true, past trauma that keeps you anxious, loneliness, raising kids, stressful work, cancer, all chipping away at your emotional, physical and spiritual well being.
The tension of trying to keep all the balls in the air, while keeping your frustration in check and still managing to hang onto a little bit of hope that things will get easier, is a lot to hold. You even manage to find small wins to be grateful for in the midst of the really hard moments.
You should be tired!
Permission to take a deep breath and say with me. “I am doing the best that I can.”
Our world is full of things that we did not choose, yet here we are trying to keep it all together, smile, and hang onto God's promise that he is in it with you. Ugh. Not always as easy as it sounds, right? I wish I had all the magic answers for you as to why life does not make sense sometimes.
Here is what I do know. God sees you. He knows your struggles and how hard it is. He wants to show you his compassion, mercy, and love. He is also likely asking you to do things that do not seem possible and to trust that he has your back.
God sent Aaron and Hur to hold up Moses’ arms when he was tired and no longer had enough strength of his own, he gave the Apostle Paul purpose to encourage others when he was alone, he welcomed David’s cry of lament when he was afraid and when Jesus stumbled and could no longer carry his cross, the cross he knew he was going to die on, God used Simon to lift that heavy cross and shoulder that burden.
I am sorry if life is hard for you right now. I do know that God promises to be with you in it all. My personality tends to want to do more when I get weary, yet the only sacrifice that God wants from us during this time is to praise his name, have a grateful heart, and a humble spirit.
You are already doing enough.
I have a prayer and a song for you. May it give you the moment of pause and rest you need today.
Pray with me,
Lord, I come to you, as we carry my burden together.
Your heart of compassion, and knowing you are a God of mercy, brings me comfort.
Send your people to hold up my arms when I no longer have the strength to do it alone.
Give me courage to ask for what I need.
Open my eyes to see the joy all around me, even when I am sad and frustrated.
Let my voice share my gratitude with others.
Show me my purpose in each moment when I can not see it.
Surround me with your loving gaze, arms of protection, and guiding spirit.
Accept my humble, low bow as my sacrifice before you, my Father, your son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.