Weary Soul

​Exit 2020. Enter 2021.
As a Christian I am expecting 2021 to be a good year because of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises. But I will be honest. My soul is weary. How about yours?
According to the Bible, mankind possesses a spirit, body and soul. (I Thessalonians 5:23). Our soul is composed of three components: mind, will and emotions. Our thoughts, choices and feelings make up our soul.
Covid-19 uncertainty. Political upheaval. Civil unrest. Economic disruption. Relationship distancing. A host of other soul stressors have created a weariness in our world, nation, families and individuals. I am worn out just mentioning these things.
I think you know what I am talking about. Scratching our heads wondering about what is going on and might happen. Making choices we have not had to make before. Experiencing emotions that are confusing, contradicting, and downright troubling have plunged you and me into an unrelenting stress mode that produces acute and chronic weariness of soul.
Soul weariness is ugly to say the least. Constant tiredness. Overwhelming fatigue. Restlessness. A sense of feeling stuck in life. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness because you seemingly cannot do anything about what is happening around you feed soul weariness.
So, what are you and me to do? Will the world system alleviate weariness? No. Science. No. Politicians. No. Media and technology. No. The Stock Market. No. Addictive substances. No. Spiritual or religious activity outside of Christ. No.
But I do know what, rather Who, will help us win over weariness. His name is Jesus. Soul rest in Jesus is the remedy for soul weariness.
In Matthew 11:28-30 the Lord invites all who are soul weary to come to Him for rest.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am humble and gentle in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light.”
Note steps to rest from a weary soul.

1. Come to Jesus weary soul. He will give you rest. Come is an invitation.
2. Take His yoke (hook-up, connect with  and learn from Him. Learn how to rest like Jesus does.
3. Find rest for your soul because Jesus’ yoke is easy and His load is light. Life’s load is easier when we handle it with Christ’s rest.

My weary friend accept the Lord’s invitation to come and find rest. If we do not come to Him for rest, we will remain weary and worn out. Life will be harder than it could be when we attempt to work our way out of weariness without God’s help.
Truth be told, it takes humility to admit that we need the Lord’s help to overcome soul weariness. We think (erroneously) we can handle it on our own. If that is you, how has that been working out for you? Just asking.
Come. Yoke . Learn. Receive. Rest. Sounds good to me right now, how about you?
Jesus is a bottomless well of soul rest, restoration and renewal that never runs dry.
Helpful Hints For Relieving Soul Weariness

• Soul weariness happens in life. Be aware when your soul is becoming tired. Do not blow through warning signs of soul fatigue. Melancholy moods, sadness, sorrow, grief, outbursts of anger, irritableness, feeling overwhelmed, worry and anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness, being disillusioned, discouraged, depressed and demoralized all indicate serious stress and weariness.  
• Talk with a mature Christian who is a good listener and encourager. Pray with them to receive rest from the Lord.
• Wait on the Lord. Get alone with Jesus. Be quiet. Give up your weariness. Lay your weary soul at His feet. Listen for His voice. Learn from Him. Receive His rest.
• Take a deep spiritual breath. Read a Psalm or two. Meditate on God’s promises. Then take a little nap!
• Stop feeding, fueling your weariness. Shut out. Shut off anyone or anything that wears your soul out. You can choose to tune out life’s negative, stress producing noise.
• Do not, I repeat do not make major life decisions when you are weary. Tired decisions are often bad ones.
• Be wary of taking advice from weary people. How can tired people bring rest to your tired soul?
• Withdraw from the world’s weariness. Take a break from the spiritual, mental, emotional and relational clamor of the world.
• Rest when the Holy Spirit directs you to. Pay attention to the still, quiet voice of the Spirit who will comfort you, ministering rest and peace to your soul.   
• People handle soul weariness differently. Cut folks some slack when they are worn out. Wouldn’t you want them to cut you some slack when you are so tired that you are like someone who said “I am too pooped to pot!”
• Rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for restoring rest to your soul.
• Share with a weary soul how the Lord refreshed you, restoring your vision, peace, comfort, strength and joy.

My fellow Christian and friend look to Jesus to give you rest from your weariness. His rest is the rest you need to overcome a weary soul. Weariness always must surrender to rest.
Take a moment right now. Say this to Jesus, my soul is weary Lord. I need rest. Hear Him say to you. (Your name) come to Me and I will give you rest. Release your weariness and receive rest from the One who is never weary. 
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7
“The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:6-7
A Word For Your Week: Turn soul weariness into soul rest by resting in Jesus.