When You’re Weary and Worn Out, God Will Renew Your Strength iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 25

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“For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite’--Isaiah 57:15

As most women have experienced, I’ve gone through times of weariness and weakness. I am lowly in spirit and desperately need God to renew, refresh, and revive my heart.

In these times of weariness and weakness, it’s sometimes difficult for us to believe that God desires to renew, refresh, and revive us, unlike many humans who often turn their backs on us and kick us when we’re down, as the saying goes.

Still, God, in His great mercy and compassion, sees us consumed by remorse, regret, guilt, and much more, and rather than turn away from us in disgust, seeks to breathe new life into us. 

This is how our God, who lives forever in a high and holy place, cares about us during our lowest, darkest points in life, when we may not even care about ourselves anymore.

No One Is Exempt from Weariness

When we look at individuals in the Bible who seem to have hit an all-time low, we can’t help but think of the prophet Elijah. He accomplished great and mighty feats in the name of God, but he wasn’t exempt from weariness, despair, and hopelessness. 

After standing up to some of the most evil and notorious rulers of his day, Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah was emotionally and physically down. He also experienced sleeplessness and intense physical exertion, which drained him of energy and, most of all, hope.

1 Kings 16:30-32 explains what Elijah faced. “Ahab, son of Omri, did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began serving Baal and worshipping him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria.” 

Elijah faced idol worship at its worst, which caused him to be at odds with Ahab as a prophet of God. With courage, boldness, and great faith in God, Elijah challenged him publicly, making a spectacle of Ahab’s false gods, leading to the ridding of the nation of 450 false prophets.

His acts made him #1 on the queen’s most wanted list. “Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them’” (1 Kings 19:1-2).

God Understands Our Weariness and Weaknesses

Exhausted, 1 Kings 19:3-5, describes what happened next. “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.”

More than anyone, God understands our weariness and the desire to give up sometimes. Although some Christians may believe God is disappointed in us when we grow tired and can’t operate in superhuman mode, it isn’t true. Rather than turning His back on us, God turns towards us in our weakness and weariness, knowing our frailties with a desire to help us.

Instead of turning away or disowning Elijah, God sent an angel to help him. “He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord returned a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:6-8).

Like Elijah, in our lowest points in life, we can be assured that God seeks to renew, refresh, and revive us. He doesn’t turn away or abandon us as some people do, but He lives with us in our darkest hours.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father, we are deeply grateful that, at our lowest points in life, You don’t turn away from us but renew, refresh, and revive us when we need it the most. We thank You for being a gracious and compassionate God who is faithful in helping us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How did today’s devotional speak to your heart? Share it in the iBelieve Truth discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/thekopmylife

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber

Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.

In our conversation, we explore:
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✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!