The Antidote for Weariness

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? 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. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:28–31 (ESV)

God does not grow weary; I do!

In recent conversations with friends and strangers, I’ve noticed I’m not the only one experiencing “weariness.” People are tired, discouraged, uncertain, and fearful. But God does not grow weary; we do!

We’re not God. We are prone to physical exhaustion. All my life I have been blessed with more energy than I know what to do with. But I still require sleep. Without proper exercise and diet, it’s only a matter of time until my body becomes subject to illness. I’m beginning to recognize that my energy supply is not limitless. 

Aside from physical weariness, we are also subject to various kinds of stress: work pressures, family dynamics, financial troubles, and the constant juggling of responsibilities. These “stressors” weigh heavily on a person’s mental state. Prolonged stress is exhausting and over time can diminish one’s emotional resilience.

As we begin a New Year, most of us can look back on 2024 and recognize how the pace of life, economic stress, global challenges, and culturally imposed expectations add pressure to our already over-extended lives. But God does not grow weary!

Isaiah’s words were for the Judean exiles in Babylonia. They were timely words of consolation for those who were physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted. They are also timely words for weary hearts in the 21^st century. 

One thing I’m aware of is that when I’m depleted, I tend to forget that God isn’t!

I need that reminder today. Possibly, you do, too. 

When we lose sight of the “everlasting God,” we fail to remember that God is eternal. He has always existed and always will. God is not limited by time. “God is the Creator of the ends of the earth” reminds us that God is not limited by space. In my weariness, God is near me. No distance separates me from God. 

Are you weary? Do the cares of this world weigh you down? Are you concerned, uncertain, fearful? Let Isaiah’s words remind you:

“[God] gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” [Emphasis mine]

The antidote for weariness is our steadfast focus on God.

I cannot promise you that this year will be less (or more) troublesome than last year. But I can assure you, that as we remain God-focused, you will see how God transforms your weakness into strength and despair into hope! 

I wish you a blessed New Year!