O Lord, I’m tired…

~ Lisa Brittain

We sat together, a group of women ranging in age from young mommy to less young with grown children (like me), around several tables pushed in to make one.  The chatter was bountiful as we brightened our doodle sheets with many colors.  The word LOVE was sketched vertically down the black and white page our teacher handed out.  You might have the impression we were helping out in a children’s class; but no, we were gathered up for Bible study.  All of us women folk – coloring and doodling, chatting and laughing.tired 030918

My spiritual daughter is leading us in discipleship training through Titus 2 over six weeks this spring.  This was our third week, and we were getting ready to talk about loving our husbands well.  We would even dare to uncover and discuss our Father’s view of submitting ourselves as wives under the headship of our husbands.

This young friend who prayerfully walks ahead of us on this journey through Titus 2 asked me, momma, to open us with prayer.  My first words were these…  “O Lord, I’m tired…”  I exhaled a long deep breath from the bottom of my weary lungs.  I whispered again…”Lord, probably everyone here is tired, and so this is why we come to sit at Your feet…”

It’s true, you know?  We’re all tired as the result of something or tired of something.  I can’t speak for everyone – just me.  But I’m tired from the constant pelting of these sharp cords against my heart and mind…

Angry words, hateful attitudes, and accusations are often hurled ruthlessly.

Violence, abuse, and brutality – one human being against another.

Families are broken and separated.

Pathology reports, diagnoses, hospice care and death.

Job loss and financial ruin.

Anxiety, depression, cutting, and suicide attempts.

And then I remember the days of horrific torture Jesus endured leading up to His crucifixion and death.  He took all of these angry lashes upon His flesh and more.  Every sin ever conceived of satan and perpetrated by man – Jesus bore it.  He chose to do it in obedience to His Father’s will.

Then the ruling priests, over and over, made bitter accusations against him, but he remained silent. So Pilate questioned him again. “Have you nothing to say? Don’t you hear these many allegations they’re making against you?” But Jesus offered no defense to any of the charges, much to the great astonishment of Pilate.  Mark 15:3-5 tpt

Jesus silenced His tired, weary heart and mind and just took it – all of the evil of all time from the Garden of Eden to the Battle of Armageddon.

If I think I’m tired… and I am… surely my Savior, Jesus, understands why.

Ponders:

Is there something weighing you down to the point of weariness?  Is living in this broken world making you tired?

Do you believe Jesus bore that thing in His flesh?  Would you like to ask Jesus to take (_name it here_) from you and give you rest?

Ask Him.  He will do it.  Jesus delights to be our peace.

Come Holy Spirit of God and bring Your comfort.  Let us gather tired at Your feet Jesus and receive Your rest for You are peace.  Thank You for lovingly hearing our heart cries. amen.

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Today I am joining Kate and her wonderful community of faith writers for some Five Minute Friday writing fun.  The word prompt for this week is {tired}  If you’re in the least bit intrigued, come join us for the Five Minute Friday link up

All you have to do is ponder the word prompt, set your timer for 5:00, and start typing. When time’s up, publish and link up.  Oh so simple!

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa

13 thoughts on “O Lord, I’m tired…”

  1. Lisa, your words and wisdom are encouraging. My mind, body and spirit are sprinting on “the treadmill” of life, and I need to push stop and ask Him for peace. Thank you for the refocus! xoxo

  2. Mmmmmm, yes. What a comfort to know that Jesus knows. He understands. My brother and I were talking about this awhile ago. He has had many surgeries on his feet due to a problem he was born with that doesn’t manifest until adulthood. It struck me that Jesus knows exactly what his pain is because He had to trudge, barefoot, through the town and up the hill, barefoot, and then He had the nail slammed through His ankles. When I told my brother this, he fell silent, eyes wide. What a beautiful Savior we have!

    1. Oh yes, Marie! Thank you for sharing your own story of being able to encourage your brother this way. Thank you for being here and adding value to our conversation.
      You’re shining…. You’re precious!

  3. I can so relate. Thankful that even though I feel weighted down by circumstances, I can run to God and find rest and renewal in Him. I’m in the #8 spot this week.

    1. Hi Barbie! Thank you for stopping in and adding value to our conversation here. I’m always refreshed by your posts so I will be heading over to #8 to have a cool cup of water at your place!

  4. Oh so true. Our true rest is only found in Him. You’ve weaved everything together so beautifully!

  5. Thank you for these timely words, Lisa. Beautiful truths to dwell on and rest in. Sending you hugs for these weary days. I’m so looking forward to reading your words this Monday on Beloved Prodigal. Have a wonderful, restful weekend.

    1. Thank you for visiting here, Anna! Thank you for your encouragement and friendship across the ocean! I hope you might want to share a post again sometime over here. Another Saturday… maybe?

  6. I love your prayer at the Bible study and the honesty within it! Thanks for sharing about that and for the recognition that we are all tired in our own way. I needed to hear that today.

    1. Thank you, Bethany! Thank you for taking some of your precious time and spending it over here. Thank you for adding value to our conversation with your encouraging words. Bless you… with Jeus… eyes on Him… you’re shining!

  7. Oh, these words ring so true in my heart Lisa! Thank you for sharing these precious thoughts of what our Jesus bore for us, and how He understands everything we feel! And then He brings such rest that we could never attain on our own! I needed these reminders today too. Blessings and Love to you!

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