When We Grow Tired

"My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working."

John 5:17

There are times that you feel lethargic and out of touch with yourself. You may take a break from what needs to get done, only to find yourself still lethargic and out of touch. The work that needs to get done, whether around the house, within a job, etc. becomes challenging to complete. These are some of the many experiences that depression and anxiety may have on individuals. The work becomes work. The work becomes difficult. Breaks are taken and at times, things are left or never get done. This may be a lack of interest, a lack of motivation, or a lack of pleasure in previously pleasing things. This may be an anticipation that leads to struggles to cope with the uncertainty of the outcome. As a human you go through these ups and downs. These ups and downs do not need to be clinically driven, they can be life driven. Depression and anxiety are not just clinical terms, they are life terms. Normalizing that they exist does not glorify them, rather acknowledging that they exist opens doors to address them, change them, explore them, and share them. And as a human you grow tired at times.

What addresses this tired feeling? Him. John 5:17 "My Father is always at work to this very day, and I too am working." Jesus says this as He continues to work on the Sabbath. He says this as He continued to justify His actions. John chapter 5 is His words to others; His position with God.

He is at work in you, even when you do not realize. There is nothing that will cause Him to stop working in you. The laws of the Sabbath, did not even cause Him to stop working in and for those who were seeking Him, who were asking Him, and who were following Him. Even when you stop working, because it happens, life is hard, there is no doubt about that, He does not stop working to bring you closer to Him and a relationship built on faith and trust. Accept this because it is truth in Him. "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him," (John 5:43). Accept this truth because the truth will set you free.

Tired. Becomes the indicator that a break is needed. And as self-care would say it is important to take this break. Use this though, as a tool to gain strength in the one who never grows tired. Use this as a tool to gain motivation in the direction He calls you. Humans become tired, you need rest. He never stops working for you, on your behalf, in favor of you. As He said, "very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" (John 5:19). You are not the Father or the Son. You are only you. But even as the Son needed the Father, you need them both, because you are not called to do things on your own. If you can take this modeling that He shows in John 5:19, you can see that you are called to do things with Him, not alone without Him.

When depression and anxiety feel overwhelming, and you stop putting the work in for a moment, know that He continues to work and that He will continue to work for those who call upon Him.

Scripture:

John 5

John 5:17

John 5:43

John 5:19

Reflection:

How does your own experience of "tired" look right now?

What does John share with you that can support this feeling of "tired"?

How does knowing that He never stops working, change your experiences?

Who do you notice is "tired" and could use some help right now? How are you asking for help for yourself?

Prayer:

Lord, in the moments of feeling tired, whether for periods of time or just periodically, I pray that people can find rest and hope in you. Lord I am thankful and grateful for the blessing of your work in my life and that it continues without ceasing. Even on days that the experiences of depression and anxiety may effect my work, Lord I know that you never stop working. Lord I pray that people can use this as a way to accept your love, to take time for rest, and then continuing living in a way that is pleasing to you. Your love and devotion to your children is evident and the praise they have for you in their regained strength and energy is pleasing to you. I pray that these seasons of feeling tired are short, that they give new strength, energy, and insight and that they lead to the comfort of your ways. Thank you Lord, for the constant work that you do in my life and the lives of so many around me. In blessings and praise, and in your son's name. Amen.