Escaping The Tyranny of "Tired"

Sometimes in the race of life we get tired.

Just. Plain. Tired.

Have you ever felt like that? Have you felt too tired to tackle the day’s hassles; too apathetic to plot a future path; too discouraged to try to set goals, let alone shoot for them?

Well, I have to admit that lately I’ve been feeling pretty tired.

• Run down by poor health

• Pressed by financial stress

• Plagued by sinful habits

• Overwhelmed by ministry responsibilities

Can you relate? Now some would say we need to pull back, take it easy for a while. Others would say we need to take some time out for ourselves–spend some “me” time. Still others may say we’re depressed and refer us to a counselor.

Heard that. Tried it. Didn’t work.

So, what does God have to say? What help and encouragement does He have to offer?

1) We have a Savior who understands.

” . . . [Jesus] shared in their humanity . . . for this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God . . . Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18

2) We have a Savior who has overcome.

“ . . . In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere  the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” II Corinthians 2:14

3) We have a Savior who offers rest and refreshment.

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

And then:

“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.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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. Isaiah 40:21-24

4) We have a Savior who rewards.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Look, I [Jesus] am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12

That Savior’s name is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Fully God, and as He walked this earth, fully man so He knows all about pressure, about fatigue and the mind-numbing, bone wearying “trials” littered along the path of life. He’s called “Savior” because He alone is able to save us from their power to trap, defeat, and destroy.

And we need to be saved because we all get run down, pressed, plagued, and overwhelmed. Plus, do we really want to spend another moment under the tyranny of “tired”?

How about you? How does God encourage you?