When You Feel Exhausted, Return to the One Who Is Never Weary

How are you doing, friend? Are you okay?

Recently, I have been asking one of those questions (or maybe both) as a standard greeting when I see someone.

This is not premeditated on my part, nor does it seem to matter how long it has been since I last saw them—a year, one month, three days, or twenty-four hours. It does not matter.

While difficulty and challenges have always been a part of life, the time we live in has become ‘all kinds of’ crazy. I do not use the word crazy to diminish the struggle or suffering you may be experiencing—neither is it an attempt to ignore concerning issues at hand.

When things are overwhelming, our need to express the mounting frustration often turns to sharing humor at the absurdity of it all. Such is the case with the overabundance of memes splashed across our devices, right?

So, while we may be able to find momentary relief in humor at all kinds of crazy around us, we must not overlook the utter exhaustion many are experiencing.

Most of us are exhausted.

¹EXHAUSTED: completely or almost completely depleted of resources or contents.

What are we exhausted from? All of it. Fear and uncertainty. Broken promises. Grief and loss. Disappointment. Separation and loneliness. Financial challenges. Interruption to routine.

This is not an all-inclusive list, for sure. Go ahead and feel free to add whatever it is you are exhausted from, in this season—and then, read on.

Did you read the definition of exhausted shown above? Notice it says the exhausted are depleted of resources or contents. This should be an eye-opener for Christians and lead us to consider where we are going for the resources or contents being depleted in us.

“The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.” Isaiah 40.28 (NASB)

Not just in this season of all kinds of crazy, but in every season, God is our never-ending supply. On this, believers can depend. If we are looking to Him as our resource, we have everything we need to survive.

Yes, we require rest and renewal in this life, and He teaches us how to obtain it {see Exodus 20.8-11; Mark 6.31; Hebrews 4.9-11}. We can learn to discipline our routines and activities, making the adjustments needed to find rest.

When going through extremely challenging times, however, the exhaustion may be more emotional in nature. In recent times, I have noticed this affecting me more. I find myself caught up in listening to the news reports or following the latest troubling events on social media. Then, when I lay down at night, sleep does not come.

While chatting with a friend, we rehash all the bad stuff happening in our world. When we finally say goodbye, we’ve worked our emotions into a frenzy. Because I am so agitated over all the things, I find myself feeling completely exhausted.

What can we do to circumvent the exhaustion?

Okay, friend, at the risk of sounding simplistic, here are three simple things you can begin today. I encourage you to put it to the test to reduce your exhaustion.

Worship. Find a way to listen to your favorite worship songs. Build a playlist. Save videos to your account on YouTube. Worship changes the atmosphere, bringing calm and peace.

Word. Spend time in God’s word. Use a daily reading plan or 365-day devotional. {Many are free, online or in an App. Try YouVersion or Bible Gateway.} Reading the Scriptures reminds us of God’s plans and purposes—past, present, and future—bringing assurance for the “right now” in our lives.

Pray. Take a moment to talk to the Lord. Invite Him into the circumstances of your life. Be honest about how you are struggling. Prayer helps us to lay it all at His feet and walk away refreshed and renewed.

Remember, we serve a God who is inexhaustible. Make Him your dependable resource today!

“God [...] never gets weary or worn out. His intelligence is unlimited; he is never puzzled over what to do!” Isaiah 40.28 (TPT)

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¹Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhausted. 2/10/2021.