Baggage Claim — Hang Ups - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (ESV)
Satan knows my weakness. It’s exhaustion. If he can get me unbelievably tired, he stands a better chance at manipulating me. I’ve written before about my first wife, Amy, and her cancer journey before. When Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer, my life became laser-focused on her and her recovery. I fervently prayed for her healing, for treatments to work, for her not to feel sick. That was my job, I prayed.
As the months progressed and treatments continued, and we traveled endlessly back and forth to Louisville, I became weary. Utterly exhausted! Long, detailed prayers became shotgun prayers like, “Lord, remember what I prayed yesterday, it still applies.” Nothing seemed to slow down, and as my prayer life deteriorated, I began to feel overwhelmed. As I became overwhelmed, I avoided things: chores at home, responsibilities at work, and prayer altogether. I thought everyone must be disappointed with me, especially God. This was Satan’s lie. If anyone knew what I was going through, it was God. And He was not disappointed, he was holding me up.
Later, as things began to worsen, I again prayed fervently. God helped me through the most difficult time in my life, the passing of my beautiful wife. But again, as the months progressed, I became exhausted, felt overwhelmed, avoided things, and rarely prayed. Those feelings of disappointment returned. I had to be reminded that God knows me most intimately, He still loves me, and He sustains me.
REFLECTION
Are you exhausted or overwhelmed? Do you feel like everyone is disappointed in you, especially God? Go to Him, fall into His arms, and rest in Him.