Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16 (CSB)
After receiving an unusually disheartening text message from my good friend and dear sister in Christ, I picked up the phone and called her right away. We have an ongoing text thread and normally I would respond with an encouraging word and Scripture verse that might help. But today, she needed more than that. I wanted to hear her voice and pray with her and for her.
Have you ever had those days when the onslaught of what lies ahead is just too much? When you are already juggling far too many things and then you are hit with one more blow that makes you feel like you just want to give up? My friend is a strong believer, a constant encourager, and a faithful servant to all around her. But on this particular day, she whispered, “why, God?”
Even for those of us that know God’s promises and cling to His truth, it is normal to question His plan sometimes. It is normal to wonder why He would allow so many hardships to fall upon us when He knows we are already weary.
I listened to my friend as she shared her heart. I prayed with her and then asked her to identify one small thing she could do that might bring her peace. I have found that when I am overwhelmed on difficult days, I often feel helpless and paralyzed. But the Bible reminds us that we are to be hopeful, not helpless.
What is one small thing you can do today that might bring you peace? For my friend it was taking a walk outside in nature. Some other ideas might be asking for tangible help with a certain task from a friend or loved one, spending extra time in prayer or Bible study, having lunch with a friend, or going to bed early.
The good news to remember is that we are not doing it alone. God knows when we struggle. He sees when we are hurting. And He comes alongside us to renew our hearts when our spirit is weary.
When the to-do list is full, when stressful situations don’t seem to end, and when the realities of living in this broken world seem too much to bear, God holds us steady. His eyes are on the bigger picture that we cannot see. And He knows the hard things we are experiencing today will fade when we witness His full glory.
We don’t lose heart because the Creator of the universe is renewing us every single day. We can trust Him to see us through this one.
Read:
2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Reflect:
When life feels overwhelming, what is one small, intentional step you can take to invite God’s peace into your day? How have you seen God renew your strength in past seasons of weariness, and how might remembering that encourage you right now?
Pray:
Lord, when I’m weary and ready to give up, remind me that You are near. Help me take one small step toward peace today, trusting that You are renewing me even when I can’t see it. Strengthen my heart to keep believing that You are working all things for good. Amen.
Rooting for you, always.
Heather
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