Are you tired? I have been exhausted lately. Everyone I have spoken with is tired and doesn’t understand why. I mean, it doesn’t mean living in a pandemic for well over a year now, could make us tired. Right?
Busy schedules, fussy babies, sick loved ones, and changing schedules makes a strong person tired. You can’t exactly call the shut-down times relaxing. At first, we had no idea what COVID was, how deadly, or how contagious it was. We had no idea if stores would be open, have what we needed, or if we would have a job to pay for it if even available.
New rules were announced daily for each state, county, and town. Too many rules to remember. That didn’t include individual businesses who had their own set of standards and procedures to follow. Schools and medical agencies had just as many different methods of operations to learn also. Whew! Just talking about it wears me out.
As pastors, we had to learn and pray for new methods of reaching our people, keeping them calm, and creating plans for reopening. We had to stay strong, and that can only be done through God.
On top of being weary, Americans also grew tired of being indoors. Isolation turned into anger and depression. Every time we thought something was going to improve, it didn’t last. For us, my husband’s travelling job as a bio tech to hospitals through a temp agency came to a screeching halt. Out of work, he didn’t qualify for unemployment.
Stress mounted as our youngest had to flee with young children from an abusive marriage. This left her ex in our old home they rented. Courtesy of new Covid rules, we collected no rent, couldn’t evict, and was forced to pay utilities.
God gave us His supernatural strength to endure such trials. He miraculously provided over and over. A mistake even prevented our receiving of the first stimulus check. I was so thankful I could trust God and not the government.
It is this Lord who can, will, and does give strength to the weary. That is why my husband and I held the Staying Strong Summit: Shining During Struggles last spring. People needed encouragement. They needed teaching and testimonies, which can still be heard and accessed, so please check out if still in need.
In almost every interview recorded on the Staying Strong Summit, we learned those suffering through tragedies, chronic illness, loss and grief, or disabilities relied on their faith. It was their faith that helped them overcome.
In my life, my faith was what I hung on to that gave me hope every time my progressive eye disease claimed more of my sight. God gave me strength to adapt and change to my new vision. My faith grew during the process and gave me flexibility to cope with Covid-19 better.
Let God give you strength as you hide these verses in your heart and use them as part of your daily prayers.
Verses to Pray
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength, and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me. My heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives strength to His people. The Lord blesses His people with peace.
Psalms 22:19
But You, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength. Come quickly to help me.
Habakkuk 3:19
The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes me as sure-footed as a dear, and able to tread upon the heights.
Isaiah 33:2
The Lord be gracious to us. We long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation In time of distress.
Faith Illustrated
If you want to know more about this kind of faith and how to trust the Lord with things you can’t see or understand, grab a copy of my latest book, Faith Illustrated: Taking Your Next Step. It will strengthen your faith as well.
Daily Reminders Available Here
© 2022, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Great thoughts Jena! Yes, only absolute in this world is God’s Word! Thankful for that fact!
Amen, Helen! Thanks for sharing. Be blessed.
Beautiful post, Jena, especially now as COVID is rearing its ugly head again.