25 I will strengthen the weary and renew those who are weak.
Reflection
Weary sounds about right.
I get the sense that so many of us are just…tired. We’ve had it, with pretty much everything and everyone. Rude people? Had enough. Time wasters? Had enough. Facebook trolls? Had enough.
We’re done with people who don’t have anything good to say. We’re done with people who think they have all the answers and don’t need to listen to anyone else. We’re done with people who just complain and don’t do anything to make it better.
But you know what? We’re also done with all the things that frustrate us: whether work or relationships or the political climate or whatever. We’re just done.
When I read the word weary, that’s what I think of…just being so tired of it all I’m ready to throw up my hands and say, “whatever.” Whenever you find yourself using the word “whatever,” it’s a sure sign that you’ve grown weary. Even if your body hasn’t admitted it yet, that word is your soul’s admission of just how you’re feeling. What you’re saying is that you’re tired enough that you just don’t care anymore. Or, at least, that you don’t want to care anymore. “Whatever” is a frustrating thing to hear a friend or partner say, because it means they feel like it’s no longer worth trying.
But one of the many promises in this well-known chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecy is this one: “I will strengthen the weary and renew the weak.”
The next time you are done with whatever, I encourage you to return to this verse. Remember who it is who strengthens the weary, renews the weak, and who calls us back from the point of giving up. Nothing is just whatever when God is in it with us!
By Joe Monahan
For Pondering & Prayer
Today, notice moments when you either say or think to yourself, “whatever.” What are you feeling? Ask God to strengthen you so that you are not tempted to give up.
Prayer: God, we know that we are frequently weary of…everything. Today, renew our patience. When we are tempted to say, “whatever,” give us the strength we need to hang in and try once again. Amen.
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