Weariness to Wellness
Have you ever felt like a load of your present world was just overwhelming you and make you feel like you were standing in Quicksand, rapidly sinking, and there was no one to help you understand what was happening, or to rescue you?
Whew… Big question! Long sentence!
This past week of Praying, Studying and Thinking brought a thought into my heart. Last week felt like a long week, and it feels like it’s been a long year…already. I’m not sure how or what you do when it seems like your world is so overwhelming that you feel overly tired. A bone-deep feeling of being overwhelmed by life in general. Get the picture? You feel overwhelmed!
I needed a word that would describe a host of feelings… And like the gentleman he is, God slipped this word into my spirit: Weary
It’s a word that we use often and yet misconstrue it with a view of the physical world. We have worked hard, and our body is so tired we often say we are weary. But it has a deeper and different meaning. While chatting about this message with some men of the church, a definition came to light for the word that speaks to me this week.
Weary = Tangible Helplessness
Tangible, as in you can use your senses and wrap your hands around it. Touch. Feel. Hear. Speak it. Smell it. Taste it. Though it’s tangible, you can’t reject it! You can’t fight it. You are overwhelmed! Everything you sense and everything you do is imperiled by this helplessness that you feel.
- Your body is tired, no it’s weary, and when it is overwhelmed, then you are helpless to fight off sickness and it seems you are easily brought even lower by one illness, and then another. We succumb to repetitive attacks by the latest bouts of illness that many are facing. Our defenses are weakened, we don’t put up the fight that we might have on a previous day, and we are overwhelmed by the little foxes that seek to decimate an otherwise healthy plant. (Song of Solomon 2:15)
- Your mind is tired, and when it’s truly weary then all your decisions are suspect. It’s almost like the words you say, the thoughts you have, the choices you make are not the real you. When your mind is weary then your self-worth is called into question. Who cares anything about me? This is an easy time to throw in the tired and just let the alligators eat you!
- Your spirit is tired, and this is a terrible place to be. You open yourself to the enemy of your soul and your spiritual guard is down. What you know to be wrong, you do anyway, and you know it’s wrong, but you choose the sliding path instead of the guided pathway of God. Paul talks about this concept in Romans 7, and nothing works right because you are simply shadow boxing and nothing connects! (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Where do you turn to?
Some turn to the worldly side and look for something to drive away the feeling – vacation, doctor, alcohol, drugs, illicit activities, entertainment, shopping…anything to turn off the weariness and get back to life refreshed…
But there’s got to be a better answer!
And then the words of a song popular back in the 70’s by Dottie Rambo sort of crept into the edges of my brain…
Where do I go when there’s nobody else to turn to?
Who do I turn to when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on when there’s no foundation stable?
I go to the Rock, I know He’s able, I go to the Rock
CH: I go to The Rock for my salvation
I go to the stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me
When the earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to the Rock
Where do I hide till the storms have all passed over?
Who do I run to when the winds of sorrow threaten?
Is there a refuge in the time of tribulation?
When my soul needs consolation, I go to the Rock
Here’s the thing, at least for most who will pay attention to my words…we know what to do!
Let me give you a scripture to consider…
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Psalms 46:1-11 NKJV)
A couple of side notes…
- Korah was part of the priestly heritage that happened when Levi was given a role in caring for the spiritual duties of the Tabernacle and Temple. The offspring of Korah were never allowed to be a priest but were responsible for the physical care and relocation of the Tabernacle as it moved in the wilderness. Hence, they were always around God’s House but not in some highly thought of position. They were part of the Labor and Workers Union!
- Of the 11 psalms identified as coming from the Sons of Korah, you can read them and find they express a spirit of great gratitude and humility to an awesome, mighty God. They express a longing for God and deep devotion. (Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87-88) Maybe not of the priestly line of Aaron, but they still needed to worship and devotion.
- Psalms 46 says this is a “Song for Alamoth” and from my research, it seems to indicate it’s for a high soprano, possible only able to be sung by women.
- Three times this Psalms uses the word “Selah” (vv 3, 7, 11) which means, essentially, pause, and think about it.
Do you want to know how to find rest from weariness?
A vacation doesn’t cut it…I often get home just as weary as when I went because the weight of the world doesn’t take a vacation! Spending hard earned savings on a new gizmo and gadget only distracts me. Catching up with an old friend can be nice as long as there are no new burdens to add to the load. Spending time with my bride always picks me up, and I teach that’s what we are meant to do. Pick up the other when they are down. When you are both up it’s hallelujah time! When you are both down, well, how low can you go!
For me, weariness is easily dispelled by knowing where the source of my help, refuge, and strength comes from.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalms 18:2 NKJV)
Notice I’ve put a lot of emphasis on words in the Psalms. David authored many of the psalms, but we find him doing something when he’s in the midst of his own personal battle that teaches me we are the instigator to dispelling the times we find ourselves in:
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV)
Perhaps it’s as simple as you realizing what’s happening in your world, taking the steps to challenge yourself to get out of the doldrums, and then putting your trust in God, your refuge, and strength, your very present help in trouble! Even when it all gets rough, pause and think about God being your Refuge and Strength! Even when the nations rage and kingdoms are shaken, the Lord is with us and is our Refuge! Think about it! Who can stop all the wars? Be still. Know God can do it all. Even your little molehill! He is with you and is your Refuge! Think about it!
Now. Take that power of God and let it be in your heart and mind. Let the weariness bleed off as you refocus your entire being on Godly pursuits. Seeking God first begins the order of events we should all know to follow. (Matthew 6:33)
Okay… One last scriptural reference for you to research yourself. Paul teaches us to not be “weary in well doing” because if you do not “lose heart” you will reap what you sow in “due season”… (Galatians 6:9) Do not stop with just this verse. Hint: Read the entire chapter.
And this produces a thought for another day.