Originally published Monday, 22 August 2016.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
How are you today, sis? Are you tired? Are you growing a little weary in well-doing? If so, I’ve been there too. Now on the flip side, are you invigorated and refreshed right now? If so, I think that’s awesome too! But…just in case you ever get to the point when you feel like you are growing weary in well-doing, pull this blog back up…or recommend it to a friend. But for now, let’s talk about growing weary in well-doing.
The fact of the matter is that sometimes in this journey called life, we can get tired along the way. It really does happen. There are times when you can be so fatigued from work, cleaning up, being a mother, wife, waiting on God to move in a particular area in your life, and even ministry, that you really don’t know what to do with yourself. And then there are moments when you really can’t even put your finger on the looming question, “Why am I so tired?” I mean, you’ve gotten the rest, gone to an awesome conference, taken a vacation, or even sought the Lord in deep prayer about it, but then somehow you still can’t shake the fatigue. Have you even been there? Trust me, I have in all of the above! And I’ll be the first to admit that it is not a fun place to be….literally. But thank God, there is hope!
Granted, I’m not complaining or whining about it, but I am being real here. Weariness is a real emotion. The good news is that it can be conquered. Amen! I’ve noticed that sometimes the weariness can come from doing too much or not doing enough. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s not. Point of fact is if you’re not doing what you know you’re supposed to be doing, then that can wear you out mentally. And when you’re mentally drained, your body normally follows.
Another culprit of weariness is sin. Straight up…it’s true. If you’re heavy in your spirit, you might want to check your heart and examine your recent actions, because sin could be the very thing that’s affecting your productivity. Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish.”
Sin does hinder our progress and it slows us down. It makes us weary. The key is going to God in prayer and confessing where you are. He already knows. He just wants you to talk to Him about whatever it is, so you can get free. Try it.
A few other things that can weigh us down with weariness are waiting on God to move in a particular area of our lives, a prayer that we’ve prayed that hasn’t been answered yet, or a promise that hasn’t yet been fulfilled. These real-life examples can make you pretty weary, because sometimes you do get tired of waiting. BUT…in this time, you have to literally choose to BELIEVE God. You have to keep the faith and remember that God is at work behind the scenes working everything out on your behalf. And you have to purpose to persevere; which in simpler terms means…keep pressing and don’t give up (especially if you are in ministry).
Satan is not excited about what God wants to do in your life, so he will use any and everything against you to make you give up, even wear you out in your mind. This is when you will need to do what 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”
One day as I was driving to the store with my kids in the car, my teenage son said, “Mom, you look tired.” I answered him saying, “Yeah, I am. The enemy is trying to wear me out.” Now, in the midst of that conversation, I asked my son this question, “What do you think I should do?” And his response was, “pray”. What a simple answer. Prayer is so powerful.
However, when you are extremely fatigued in every way…you can sometimes forget how to fight the enemy. Yet, the Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Your full armor is the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), and by all means the Bible says to pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:13-18 - NLT).
Now granted, when my son answered my question, I had been praying. BUT, I was not using that extra power of praying in the Spirit. I knew how to, yet, I nearly forgot about it in my time of warfare! So when I went to God in prayer, I began to do that. And afterwards, I had soooo much energy. It was actually better than the best cup of coffee and a vitamin or 5 hour energy drink! I was able to get so much work done and I was revived! Amazing! But don’t take my word for it. First Corinthians 14:5 says, “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord…” Yay!
Listen, if you are a Christian, especially in this season of time as we see the return of Christ drawing nearer; we have to put on our full armor of God. We have to fight in prayer and press beyond our weariness in every way. Many people are growing weary and falling away from the faith right now for so many reasons. There’s so much sexual immorality inside and outside of the church, sin is running rampant everywhere, the love of many is waxing cold, prayer has been taken out of schools, and more and more Christians are accepting things that are totally contrary to the truth of God’s Word. BUT I declare today…NOT US!
My sister, I want to encourage you with these words today from Galatians 6:9, “…Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” And Hebrews 12:12 encourages, “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.”
Press my sister! There are people who need you to be salt and light in this thirsty and dark world. So keep fighting. Keep believing. And don’t grow weary in well doing, because your season of harvest is coming. Just don’t give up. Hold on!
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
P.S.
If you are unfamiliar with praying in the Spirit, I have a few helpful suggestions. Pray and ask God to give you this gift of prayer. He's well able to do it. This is something so precious and powerful to have in your Christian life, especially if you are in ministry as you go through spiritual warfare. Also, if you are in a church, you can talk to your Pastor or spiritual leaders about it. It's in the Bible, so it's all good! 1 Corinthians 14:39 says, "...And don't forbid speaking in tongues." (NLT) Here are also a few Scriptures on it that I encourage you to read for yourself: Romans 8:26-27, 1 John 5:14-15, Jude 1:20, 1 Corinthians 14:15, and 1 Corinthians 14:4. Be strengthened in Him!
QUESTION: If you’re growing weary in this season, what’s making you so tired? Need prayer? If so, you can email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com and we can stand together in prayer for your continued strength.
Don’t forget my NEW book is scheduled to release September 1st!!!! It’s entitled, “IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ & Moving Forward in Your Purpose!” I’m pumped and I want you to GRAB it! PRE-BUY it today @ www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org/identified! And share, share, share (tell other women too!). Thanks sis!
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