Sometimes, being strong is exhausting. You can only carry so much for so long. Eventually, the responsibilities, worries, and pressures of life begin to take their toll. You may keep going, keep showing up, and keep doing what needs to be done, but deep down, you know you’re tired.

Maybe you’re physically tired, emotionally exhausted,  or your heart is simply worn out from carrying a burden you’ve been carrying for far too long. So, what do you do when you feel like you don’t have anything left?

Jeremiah 31:25 offers this encouragement:

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

What a beautiful promise!

God knows when we’re weary. He knows the burdens we’re carrying and the battles we’re fighting. He sees the struggles that others may never notice. He understands the weight that has left us feeling exhausted, and he doesn’t respond by telling us to simply try harder. He promises to give rest to the weary.

Sometimes we think we have to be strong all the time. We feel like we can’t let our guard down or admit we’re struggling. However, God already knows.

We don’t have to pretend we’re okay when we’re not. We can come to the Lord with our weariness, worries, fears, disappointments, and questions. God is not disappointed by our weakness. He meets us there.

God’s promise isn’t only about rest. Notice Jeremiah also speaks of joy.

God can bring joy to a heart that has been weighed down by sorrow. He can breathe new life into a spirit that feels discouraged. He can restore hope when we feel like hope is running low. That doesn’t mean every problem disappears overnight. It doesn’t mean we will never feel tired or sad again. But it does mean we don’t have to face those feelings alone.

The same God who calls us to stand firm when life gets difficult is the God who gives us strength when we’re weary and joy when we’re hurting. So if you’re tired or hurting today, don’t be afraid to admit it. Bring your weariness to God. If your heart is heavy, bring him your sorrow.

If you feel like you have nothing left to give, remember that God is not asking you to carry everything in your own strength. He gives rest to the weary. He brings joy to the sorrowing. When your strength runs out, his never does.

Thanks for reading.