Isaiah 40:28-31

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.

Do you get tired or weary?

I have a condition (ok it’s a disease) called Multiple Sclerosis. I have been very fortunate that I have not had many long-term effects. At least not visibly. My MS can cause me to be fatigued. This is its own kind of fatigued. It was worst before I began taking medication, but on hot days or sometimes for no reason, my mind and my body are both fatigued. It can be hard for me to get work done. To be productive and contribute to my family.

My strength is renewed

In MS (at least relapsing remitting MS), your symptoms can subside for a while. They can go away with little or no trace. I have gone ten years without a major relapse. Even with my fatigue, my strength can often be renewed by a nap.

I am spiritually renewed by God. God sees my weaknesses. Sees my mental and spiritual fatigue, and he gives me renewal. He allows me to refocus my attention on Him. Much like the nap helps me feel refreshed and able to go on another day, His word and sacraments keep me renewed in my faith. He knows the renewal that awaits us by being closer to Him. The refreshing of the Spirit that comes only from the Lord. It is our hope in the Lord, our trust that His promises are true that help us to continue on even when hard things happen to us.

Dancing with God

Shortly after I was diagnosed with MS, my husband was out-of-town at a training school for the Air Force. I was fatigued. My brain wasn’t working the way it should. I was putting away the food from the lunch I had made my boys, but something was wrong. Putting away the food was harder than it should be. I had to think about what I was doing. I went to put the lid on the milk bottle. It wasn’t working. After what seemed like an eternity, I figured out what was wrong. I was trying to put the peanut butter lid on my milk bottle.

I couldn’t believe that this kind of mental struggle was what my future held. I was so upset. I began crying and praying out loud to God. Perhaps even swearing during my prayer. I was exasperated. I was at the lowest point I think I’ve ever been. But then it was as if the Lord took my chin and lifted it up. Putting my focus back on Him and his hope for me. I looked up and felt God telling me (I didn’t hear Him – I felt Him say it), “This body is only temporary. You’ll have a good body here in heaven, this won’t be forever.” My spirit was renewed. I had hope. The next thing I remember was that I felt I was dancing with God in my Kitchen. Joyously singing “I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven, I’m going to heaven.” He is my strength when I am weak.

How has the Lord renewed your strength? Do you have hope in His promises?