Wow, this message is so timely, as I know I ain't the only one that felt weakened. Not just physically, but in other aspects of our lives, often combination of some or all of it.
I remember praying last night, but I feel unsatisfied because I prayed without much attention. I was so sleepy already, and only God knows what I tried to mumble as prayers until I just dozed off to sleep. And that's not the right kind of prayer. Prayer is my communication to God, how would He like me talking to Him 75% asleep already? It's like listening to an incomprehensible series of ramblings. Then I expect my prayers to be heard. Sigh.. (Face palm).
I just felt the need to touch that topic, even it's not the theme of my article tonight, because my sleepiness is something to do with it, in somehow, a little way.
I have shared how getting vaccinated just did not cause my left arm to be painful and kinda bothersome, but it also made me tired easily, or almost whole day, judging by how I just spent the weekend most on my bed.
I felt weak, but now I am better. My arm does not hurt that much anymore, and praise God for He is the reason for all of this. Our Monday at work started with us interrogating each other what side effects we underwent, and we were all surprised to know that I am one of the very few people who did not get a fever, nor experience some adverse side effects, like a sore, painful body, or burdensome headaches and cramps, and of course, the 24/7 dizziness. I am surprised myself, too. They are even shocked I haven't consumed even just a piece of the spare meds given to me by the doctor in case I get some side effects. Well, it's the power of God, I will say. From the time I wasn't vaccinated yet, to the actual vaccination, until after it, I prayed always, and sincerely.
I did not just get the vaccine absent-mindedly. Even I was vaccinated last Friday without any plans, I made sure to have a quick overview of what the vaccine would cause to my body.
I am not stranger to these side effects I must expect, even that one rare, life-threatening possible condition that is especially warned among women below age 50 (where I am included).
I was well aware of these things, and I would lie if I said anxiety did not visit even just once.
My answer is just prayer. Whenever I feel lost and confused if, I am doing the right thing, or am I just doing it because of the pressure? Whatever it is, this tingling battalion of worries inside me, I pray that God would help and strenghten me. When I get lost, prayer is my compass.
I just let everything happen while praying incessantly. And I think God answered in a clearest way I could ever have. "Get rid of those worries, my child."
And this, a peaceful, weekend just passed by without me having any bad flu, nor headaches, or just everything I heard from my workmates earlier. With this alone, peace is restored in my heart. But I won't stop praying, nonetheless.
The message of our Pastor yesterday is mainly about patience and prayer, and focused on the book of James, Chapter 5, Verses 7 to 12. Some of you may be familiar with these verses already, as it is always a timely message.
However, for today, I figured I must share to you this one verse that stood out to me until now. A Bible verse that is touched throughout yesterday's preaching.
God is the source of our strength.
Isaiah 40:27-31. Such a timely, and beautiful message that should be known by everyone, especially those who feel weak and on the verge of giving up.
The pandemic is just one of the things that surely exhausted our physical, mental, financial, emotional, and even spiritual well-beings. Lots of setbacks just came pouring one by one, sometimes even simultaneously, and we often had some thoughts that everything seemed to be over and hopeless already.
Guess what, it's already 2021. Almost two years of battling with this unsees enemy, and we are still here, fighting with all that we can. We can't deny though, that we are so tired and sick of this never-ending battle. It isn't just COVID. Individually, we all deal with our own problems as well, be it a personal struggle, a family problem, a relationship in the rocks, or some more difficult dilemma than this pandemic. And we are just so tired of it all.
I know you'll admit that there were certain times in your life that you wished these tempests will slow down a little bit so you can have some sort of a break time. What can we do? Even our wall clocks or our wrist watch malfunction, the time will still run, and life will still go on. People come and go, and the world is still turning, the sun is still rising and setting.
We all know sleep is not the only way we could recharge. Whew, we can't even get a proper sleep sometimes, goodness. What we need is more than just a re-charge. We need a powerful source, an outlet that never rins out. A power source that is stronger than our trials and problems.
[27] Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Admit it, complaining is natural to us. Especially when we are tired. When will all these things end? Am I supposed to just suffer until I die? Why does it seem like God does not hear me? Is He really real?
We question God's power when our strenghts are on its limits. We seem to be giving up because no one seems to be fighting for us, as this God promised. Relatable? Read on.
[28] Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Actually, we already heard it. Especially to us who have been long time attending church, served God for lots of years already. We know it, but in tough times, we somehow magically forget this.
That our God is the reason for the existence of every single things our eyes can lie on. His words alone created the world we are living for million years already. He is God. Just knowing that gives us confidence that we are trusting a Father who has no limits, never gets tired, never sleeps, and is always watching over us.
[29] He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
[30] Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
God's strength is unlimited, that's for sure. We can be sure that we can ask for will power from Him everytime we need it, and He will never run out of strength to give us.
It felt special how verse 30 emphasized that it ain't just the elderly who feel weak and exhausted, but also the youth. Especially the youth of this generation, where depression and other emotional problems are more prevalent. And God knows it. God is aware how each one of us feels.
[31] but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
And God, of course, is our main sourcse of strength. We are, for sure, not robots, and we get tired too. Well, even machines need chargung, right? So, are we.
Imagine having a Father from above who will tirelessly renew your strength everyday? How uplifting that feels! Knowing our Father loves us dearly, and is always there to keep us strong like those eagles, soaring high to our goals despite how hard and unbearable our trials become.
We often look for ways from which we can gain strength. Physically, we get it from energy drinks, or coffee. Other stuff that even makes our health conditions worse that good. Emotionally, we always expect our friends, or family to give us the encouragement we need to go on living, but there are times our expectations are just met with heartbreaking disappointments. Surely, with other aspects of our lives (financially, mentally etc.) we have these specific things or people where we try to extract strength from, but why do we still feel weak?
It's because we are looking for sources that have limits, too. If we start to have God as our source of strength, we can be confident we will never run out of fuel to continue driving through our life's journey. When we feel weak, or just out of energy to live another day, let us remember to pray to God for strength. He is just one call away, and He loves us dearly. Let's put our hope in our Lord, who is the ultimate source of our strength, and our life overall.
Feeling exhausted? Pray. Let God work on your life. Don't give up.
Hello, everyone! This is a day late of my usual Sunday Bible time, but I was reminded God's word is always timely, and it may help you too, as well. Whatever you're going through, God will strengthen you if you put your trust in Him. Fighting, family in Christ!
Until Next Time!
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To God be all the glory.
That's so great. Unli-strength alam ko saan yan makikita, it is in a BIBLE the words of our Almighty God.