When Your Soul Feels Weak
In our humanity, there are times when we simply feel our weakness. This has been me over the last couple of weeks, and I wonder if any of you can relate. The pressures (admittedly, self-imposed), to-do lists, and responsibilities have left me feeling inadequate and exhausted. And above that, navigating new challenges, and feeling ill-equipped to do so, has left me acutely aware of my weakness in every sphere from marriage and parenting to ministry and relationships.
An example? Last week I planned to bring a meal to a mom friend of mine who is battling cancer. She has 2 girls close to ours in age, and I have been praying for her throughout her journey. It seemed like a “God-thing” the way the timing worked out for me to bring her dinner, and I was looking forward to praying over her in person while I was there.
Well, a few minutes after I arrived to drop off the meal, I began feeling light headed as we were talking about her journey (side note: I have passed out due to queasiness once before in a hospital--one of my more embarrassing traits, especially considering what we do!). Knowing that I needed to leave soon, I sat down to regain composure and then prepared to head out. After taking a few steps towards the door and, no joke, uttering the words, “I think I’m fine,” everything went black and I woke up moments later on the floor feeling quite sore from the furniture I bumped on the way down.
My sweet friend, who I had come to love and serve, bent down and prayed over me! Talk about humbling. Talk about feeling weak. And my friend? She carried such a beautiful compassion and grace as she did everything she could to make sure I was ok. From afar I have admired her inner strength as she received her diagnosis, lost her gorgeous hair from chemo, and never wavered from her faith and hope. After seeing her heart in action, I am so humbled and inspired and thankful anew for the way she lives and loves.
Her help last week was such a picture of what the Lord does for us in our weakness.
When we don’t know what to pray, He intercedes for us.
When we grow tired and weary or stumble and fall, He raises us up on wings like eagles.
When we cannot see through the darkness of difficult news or circumstances, He brings His light to illuminate the darkness.
When we have nothing left to give, He brings refreshment to us.
When we are weak, then we are strong.
His words are truth, and I am so grateful to tell you that He has fulfilled each of these things. I still don’t feel like I have it all together (does anyone, really?), but I do have a renewed sense of His presence going with me and His strength giving me all I need.
- Romans 8:26; Isaiah 40:30-31; Psalm 18:28; Jeremiah 31:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 -