carried

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

Because life is, well, life, many of us are likely in a hard place right now—a time of grief, doubt, pain, uncertainty. Jesus promised it, after all (John 16:33). Sometimes these seasons are thrust upon us with the unexpected suddenness of lightening strike. Other times, we are unmistakenly following after the will of God when it rolls over us. We’re taken aback, because we’re 100% certain in our steadfast obedience. And it could be somewhere in between. Regardless, the result is the same: a soul-level, fog-like weariness that the deepest sleep couldn’t lift. (As if sleep is even a thing during these times.) You may even hear yourself cry out to the Lord or a friend, “I don’t have the strength to endure this thing.”

Again, some of us are in this place right now. Others may be looking at it in the rearview mirror…for others—and I’m sorry to break the news—it’s just over the horizon. No matter how long you’ve been walking with the Lord, you know this to be true. And if you’re in Christian community (which I pray you are), you see and hear it from your brothers and sisters in Christ as you experience Holy Spirit-inspired koinonia. 

As for me, I’m in it deep. Interestingly, it’s a result of total obedience to the Lord. In fact, there have been incredible miracles along the way, with the Lord showing up (and off) that His hand is leading my husband and I in the direction we started walking a few weeks ago. He changed our hearts 180 degrees to start this process in the first place, which is the foundational miracle. And whether witnessing “only-God-coulda-done-that” moments, sweet church fam pouring into us, or the very Spirit in us, we leapt in this thing with confidence. But now it’s gotten really real. And exponentially “really” hard. 

But friend, there is amazing news: God is who He says He is, and His promises are true. So, wherever you and I are along this narrow, rocky road, here’s the really real deal: We can trust the Lord to carry us. Here are just a few reminders for us all (some to read here—others to look up). Some of my favorites are from God through Isaiah:

Isaiah 40:31: Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 41:10: Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 46:4: Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will carry you! I have done it, and I will bear you; And I will carry you and I will save you.

2 Cor 12:9; Isaiah 40:11; Deuteronomy 1:31; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 23; Zephaniah 3:17; John 14:27; Psalm 34:18

Stay in His Word. Remain connected with encouraging brothers and sisters. And, most importantly, like an exhausted toddler at Disney, reaching up to her parent with weary desperation, cry out, “Abba (Daddy), carry me!” And He will. He’ll take us through…and it may not look like what we thought it would or should. I don’t know about you, but wherever He wants to take me, that’s where I want to go.

Lord, I trust You. I trust Your Word. I’m so weary and can’t do this on my own. Carry me.