| All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 AMPC For those who are not familiar with the above text, Jesus is talking with his disciples addressing the issue of them falling asleep at a time which He is preparing to go to the cross. I feel like the disciples here in that a long nap sounds quite nice. I do not know about you all reading this, but I am tired. Not just tired but fatigued. I am tired of talking about COVID-19, quarantines, social distancing. I am tired of thinking about every little decision. I am tired of all the political arguments especially on social media platforms costing relationships. I am tired of people not being treated equally and people only seeking relationships with others who look, act and are socioeconomically in the same group as them. I am tired of wearing a facemask 8 hours per day and not being able to see a person’s expression on their face to know if they are happy, sad, nervous or angry. I am tired of all these things being used spiritually and physically as attacks by the enemy on the people which I love. If it were up to me, I would throw in the towel because this flesh I am walking in daily is done! But the spirit which lives in me is willing and is greater and stronger than anything. 1 John 4:4 He who is in you, is greater than he who is in the world. | |||
| Fatigue is quite interesting. I talk a lot with my patients about fatigue. I would say it is probably one of the top three reported symptoms of patient going through cancer treatment. No one fully understands biologically why a person becomes so fatigued but there is a physical, mental and spiritual component to it. When people become fatigued, the mind says to the rest of your body to stop moving. In fact, this is exactly opposite of what one should do who is fatigued. The most effective way to deal with fatigue is to keep moving. This does not mean you have to go out and become a marathon runner or heavy weightlifter, but you cannot stop, you and I cannot give up! I have not been able to find any scriptures where it says just lay down, rest up and stop fighting especially when you are tired. Just a short disclaimer, I am not saying that you should not taking a day of rest or a Sabbath day. So how do we keep moving forward especially on the tough days? Read the word of God and remind ourselves of the promises of God. The Lords said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:15-16 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14 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 40:31 4The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. 5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.Isaiah 50:4-7 |