07/05/2024
Weariness appears to be the new buzzword on everyone's lips, along with burnout, fatigue, compassion fatigue, exhaustion, etc. However, weariness is not new, as we see in Isaiah 40, which speaks about youths becoming weak and tired and young men falling into exhaustion. Jesus himself says in Matthew 11 to come to him in our weariness and that He will give us rest. As a counselor , I often help people process weariness, and I have become aware that "rest" is not working for many. We can spend the day physically resting, but our minds are stuck in ruminating thoughts, or our spirit is distressed. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us to consider our spirit, soul and body. The King James Version of this text uses the phrase "preserve" instead of "be kept blameless." The biblical meaning of preserve is to reserve, observe, attend to carefully, take care of, to guard. So, how do we take off and guard our spirit, soul and body when it comes to weariness? How do we align spirit, soul and body with truth to live and function in a state of rest even when our diaries are busy?
That may sound contradictory, but the truth is that some "work" from a place of trying to prove or earn their value. This is rooted in an identity intertwined with performance, resulting in striving, competitiveness, comparison, a fear of failure, and anxiety. Working to earn your value will rob you of physical rest as you work longer hours. It will hinder your mind from switching off as you lay awake in ruminating thoughts and fears whilst keeping your soul in distress.
The biblical meaning of distress is to be in a state of adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, tribulation, and trouble. I believe when we are trying to earn our value and worth, deep down inside, we know we can't; we need a Savior. This is why our spirit finds itself in distress. We cannot save ourselves from our afflictions and fallenness.
A spirit at peace is not affected by external dynamics. The biblical meaning of this phrase, "the peace of God," found in Philippians 4:7, is "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."
This is the goal and destination of this reading plan, and I hope this journey will be a blessing to all who take it with me.
Reflection Space:
Do you struggle with sleep? If yes, consider what area you are struggling in.
Do you struggle to fall asleep because your mind is busy and overstimulated?
If you wake up in the early hours, do you struggle to go back to sleep?
Do you find yourself having ruminating conversations in your mind?
Do you struggle with conflict, resulting in built-up resentment and anger?
Do you fear failure and get anxious when performing?
Which area of your life - spirit, soul, body is needing the most attention?
Pray:
Lord, I thank you that rest is your idea and peace is your promise. I invite you, Jesus, into this journey with me of overcoming weariness. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Amen.
