It had been a tiring week but now it was Friday and in the last few days, I had managed to catch up on some sleep. Rain was forecasted for later in the day but the morning boasted blue skies and cotton-white wisps of clouds. Feeling somewhat refreshed and ready for the day, I began to pray and as I did, I felt my soul rise up.
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What to do with a weary soul
We all get tired at times. It might be a physical tiredness, an emotional strain, even a fatigue of the spirit. What do we do with this?
The Bible speaks often about rest. Yes, we are spurred on to take every opportunity, to be always watching and ready for God’s kingdom. Yet we are also encouraged to make room for rest; to rest in the promises of God, honour the Sabbath, and let God carry our burdens.
When I think about how to combat and protect against weariness, I also think about God’s commandment to love Him with all our heart, our soul, our strength and our mind (Luke chapter 10, verse 27).
Heart – protect relational time with God. Don’t compromise on setting time aside for personal prayer, worship and devotional time in God’s Word.
Soul – feed our soul with good things. Be careful what we spend time looking at, reading, and listening to. “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness” (Luke chapter 11, verse 34)
Strength – look after our bodies so we are well rested and able to function effectively in the tasks we do. Our pastor once said the most spiritual thing we can do sometimes, is to get some sleep!
Mind – release our anxieties to God. Entrust them to God and find rest in Him. “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians chapter 4, verse 6)
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Awake my soul
It is an incredible thing to feel our soul rise within us. We feel lighter, more joyful, at peace and simultaneously energised to pray for the world around us. It is a feeling that causes us to rejoice and praise God, a sudden unveiling of our eyes to God who surrounds us.
Will we shake our soul awake each day? Will we declare, “bless the Lord O my soul”? Will we protect that Sabbath principle of rest to guard against weariness?
Awake my soul, and see the beauty of the Lord.
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm chapter 143, verse 8)
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Lily of the Valleys K – “It is Done” Easter Artwork:
https://lilyofthevalleysk.wordpress.com/2019/04/19/it-is-done/
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