“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
— Psalm 119:28
Sarah envied her friends whose problems consisted of things like finding money for shopping or having a bad hair day. But ever since her mom got cancer, Sarah had been focused on only one thing. She helped out at home after school and on weekends, because her mom was exhausted from the cancer treatments. One night, Sarah cooked supper and folded laundry while trying to memorize facts for her social studies test. Suddenly, she was overcome with weariness. Her fears and grief weighed so heavily on her heart. Leaning on the kitchen counter, Sarah fought the tears that were always near the surface. “Oh, God, help me,” she prayed.
That night Sarah crawled into bed with her Bible. She read some verses her pastor had shown her. “I pray that out of [God’s] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). Sarah read it out loud three times, then turned to the next one: “I can do all this through [God] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). She turned off her light and repeated the verse, over and over. Slowly her mind shifted from her mom’s cancer to God’s power. Finally, a sense of calm settled over her, the weariness lifted, and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
More To Explore: Isaiah 40:31
Girl Talk: What circumstances make you feel weary and worn out in your mind and emotions? How can God’s Word help you transform those feelings?
God Talk: “Lord, sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Thank you for all the help and encouragement in your Word. Amen.”
From Chick Chat by Kristi Holl