IT
MAY SEEM PECULIAR, BUT SOME OF LIFE'S GREATEST GRACES COME ONLY AFTER A
TEST OF WEARINESS
One of the most exciting aspects of life is weariness. That sounds strange, doesn't it? Yet, you heard right. One of the most exciting aspects of life is weariness.
And it is strange -- to state that a "negative" can be a positive.
But life is full
of negatives that can be turned into positives and weariness can be a special fount of grace.
Let us explain:
In life, the greatest accomplishments -- and, ultimately,
the greatest joys -- come only after a trial of weariness. Often, intense
weariness. True? It takes all the energy we have to accomplish something.
This means it is worthwhile!
Think: the greatest project you've ever
been involved with. Think: childbirth. Think: the toughest challenge or course. School. Jobs.
Even illness. We all have our "Mount Everests." We all know the feeling of
climbing and climbing and halting and catching our breath and starting
again and feeling we can't go on and fearing failure but pushing upward. At the top, exhilaration!
For often, the best
and longest-lasting fruits
are wrought through trials that include exhaustion, disappointment,
discouragement, even desperation. In a word, weariness. You wanted to give
up. You won when you didn't. Consider the weariness that Lindbergh fought
as he flew over the Atlantic and how, at his weariest, he was encouraged
by voices from the other side. Think of the early settlers. Think about
those who dug the Erie Canal by hand. Weariness usually means you are
working hard; you are fighting the good fight.
It's part of the tests of life: for all of us, there are times in life when we just want to throw up
our arms and say, "I can't take it anymore. I'm exhausted. I'm too tired. I
can't go on! I'm weary, to the bone."
Yet, this is exactly the time to regroup,
pray, rest for as long as feasible, and then forge forth; what you'll
find is that grace will suddenly come to and propel you.
Look at what Jesus said: "My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:
9). Note that at His weariest point on the Cross ("Father, take
this cup..."), the ground shook around Him. The last weariness is
death when we release our spirits. What glory! Or go back further
into Scripture: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall
run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah
40:30-31). Hear what He said to His disciples: "So you had not the
strength to keep awake with Me one hour?"
Now, it also says in Scripture
that we need to focus on what is immediately before us. Sufficient for
today are the tests. Don't expend time fretting over what is farther down
the road. This helps us pass the test of weariness. It's when we try
to gulp in the entirety of the challenge all at once that we become intimidated, discouraged.
(Yet, words again from the Bible: "Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own," Matthew 6:34.)
The Lord's grace is sufficient
for any test and weariness is like a long fast. It has power. With
it, we can transcend the limits of nature. Just make sure you're not bringing the hardship
on yourself! The Lord never gives more than you can handle. Also, He always gives
a second wind. He breathes it into us. This is the Holy Spirit. Be prudent, yes; plan; but don't let the
extent of an ordeal overcome you.
Pray without ceasing.
Pray instead of fretting.
When you are praying you are not worrying (if you are
praying from the heart). What a key to life that is.
Rest when you need to and pray always and think of possibilities, not problems.
Pray throughout weariness for it is when (see Jesus in the desert) the
devil comes.
Worrying solves nothing. Yet, how much energy
so many of us spend doing just that? That is unnecessary weariness. Transcend it through prayer. Plan for the
future but live day to day.
And remember: if you're not being made weary
by something, you may need a bigger goal!
For life is a struggle -- a wondrous one -- right to the
very glorious end.
[resources:
Michael H. Brown's A Life of
Blessings]
From: Spirit Daily
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