THE CURE FOR THE WEARY SOUL

Free to Be the Me God Wants Part XII


“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33 NIV).



James Dobson states that fatigue is currently the biggest obstacle facing the family. “It is over-commitment; time pressure. There is nothing that will destroy family life more insidiously than hectic schedules and busy lives, where spouses are too exhausted to communicate, too worn out to have sex, too fatigued to talk to the kids …. If Satan can't make you sin, he'll make you busy, and that's just about the same thing.”


Perhaps this busyness is the most significant cause of weariness, or fatigue. Fatigue is a lack of energy or a feeling of futility. Whether physical or mental, fatigue interferes with the most basic of our human needs as well as those pursuits that bring us the most pleasure.


Spiritual fatigue has the same physical manifestations as chronic or pro-longed mental and physical fatigue. We are vulnerable to factors that make us say, “Stop the world, I want to get off.” Likewise, our spirits are susceptible to overload and Satan’s harangues. We tire of constant vigilance. When we reach a point of spiritual fatigue, reading the Bible or going to church seems beyond our endurance or even pointless.


Dr. Richard Cabot, a physician educator of the late 19th century, was noted for his innovative approach to holistic medicine, treating the patient as a whole person. In his book, What Men Live By, he emphasizes that the weary spirit can be energized through worship. “Worship is needed by men and women as regularly as food or sleep.” He stated that spiritual fatigue, like physical fatigue, drains us of energy. When the spirit is tired, there is “a lack of feeling for life.”


Cabot theorized that a balanced life spins around these four elements: work, play, love and worship. Worship is the most vital, because, the heart that worships embodies the other elements. Just as exercise pumps vigor into the physically fatigued and improves our overall health, communion with God restores joy to the battered spirit, renewing the joy of living.


Modern humankind knows full well the value that is inherent by balancing work and play. We also know the importance of social interaction. But when it comes to worship, we think in terms of doing, rather than being. So we busy ourselves in our charitable deeds, rather than bask in the presence of God and wonder why we feel spiritually spent.


In the Sermon of the Mount, Christ addressed these very issues. He warned about the pursuit of good deeds for wrong reasons and warned against public displays of piety. He warned against the accumulation of possessions and the preoccupation with necessities such as food, clothing, and drink. For everyone seeks these things. He warns that God knows our needs. If He cares so much for plants and animals, how much more will He provide for us? God would rather we communicate with Him than ignore His presence while preaching about Him to the world.


When we seek God, work, play, and love flow naturally from God’s miraculous provision. Then we can rise upon eagles’ wings and find the purest joy in a child’s smile.

Transcending Grief through Glimpses of Grace

Free to Be the Me God Wants: Part X

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15 NIV).

“I don’t understand it,” I told my friend. “When Dad passed away, I mourned but not for a long time. Why is it so hard to get over my mother’s death?”

Like many people, I thought grief could be measured like days, weeks, and months. I wanted to take a pill and get over the uncomfortable feelings. But in reality, grief is not something we get over. Loss is permanent. But we can get through the pain of change and emerge stronger in our faith. The International Bible Society’s treatise of grief states, “And yet, according to Scripture, grief is not entirely negative. It gives us a heart of wisdom—it deposits a spiritual and emotional understanding that is not found on the outskirts of human existence, but at the very center of what it really means to be alive.”

Any loss can cause grief, including: loss of personal relationship, loss of physical health, loss of income, loss of financial security, or the loss of freedom. Seemingly less significant issues may cause us to mourn such as: moving away from home, changing jobs, selling the family home, or retirement.

Grief hurts. The body may go through a host of physical reactions such as fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains, and insomnia. Initially, one may feel shock or disbelief then profound sadness. Some experience intense guilt over words said or not said, actions taken or not taken, and feelings felt or not felt. Significant loss may trigger intense fear. Some are angry and direct that anger toward God. One mourner confessed, “I shook a fist at God for five years.”

Psychology experts suggest many ways to cope with grief; chiefly: laughter, rest, relaxation, support groups or counseling, and acknowledgment of the hurt we feel. GriefNet.org and Compassionate Friends have on-line support groups. Hospice also offers bereavement services. But, for the believer, having an honest dialogue with God is the first step toward healing and comfort. Doubt is not evidence of a lack of faith unless we allow our doubt to keep us from the One who has the answers. As the song says, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”

Many scriptures remind the believer that loss is a common human experience. Jesus understands our loss, because He himself experienced loss. Though divine, he became flesh and willingly surrendered to associated indignities of the flesh. His obedience led to His death on the cross. (Philippians 2:6)

Isaiah 53 shows us how the Messiah would die to alleviate our grief. Other scriptures tell us that Christ binds up our wounds. The Hebrew words translated as “bind up” means to wrap around. Christ wraps His Grace around us to help us transcend to a place of peace. Our Lord understands our pain. He is the Someone who passed through grief’s door and came out the other side. Though we may never know the why, we know the Who.