If You’re Too Exhausted to Find God’s Strength

Years ago I led a women’s retreat called “How to Dress Like a Warrior.”

Lately I have felt anything but warrior-like. If I am a warrior, I’m definitely a weary warrior.

Today I reread Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV): “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

I thought I’d look up the word might in my mighty big concordance. It pretty much means strength, might and power. So I decided to look up other verses about God’s might … I’m in awe.

“The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Is. 40:28-29, ESV).

WOW!!!! Did I need to read those verses right this very minute! I can’t even begin to tell you how weary and faint and NOT mighty I am right now.

There is just no way around the tired … believe me, I’ve looked. I’ve tried to get rest … get on top of things … have less going on … take charge … let go … hang on … release … you know, everything that is supposed to make life easier, but nothing really changes the crux of the matter.

I’m a single working mom with a bunch of sweeties … throw in trying to sell a house, find a house, prepare lessons, grade papers, deal with family issues, financial issues and continuing ex-husband issues … well, there is no way to avoid the tired.

And sometimes when I consider the armor of God, I wonder if I’m even wearing it. Sometimes it feels like I’m in a battle wearing my pj’s and my only weapon is a feather pillow.

I was thinking about that verse—”Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” I’m thinking that means that before the armor goes on I need to have the Lord’s strength working in my life. Otherwise I’m just putting on my own armor—my own righteousness, my own truth, my own salvation, my own everything.

And honestly, I’ve got cruddy armor.