Yesterday was one of those days. I was so pooped that I struggled to sit upright
at the dining room table. It took extreme effort to hold my head up out of the
soup bowl. Days like that are common for me because I have a connective tissue
disease that causes chronic fatigue as well as pain.
If you've never experienced fatigue, you can't understand how debilitating it
is. It's not the exhilarating tired you feel after aerobic exercising. It’s not
the contented tired you feel after gardening all day. It's more of a crash and
burn, hit-the-wall, feel like you're dead or dying exhaustion. I think it must
be the way the coyote feels after chasing the roadrunner all day and being
pulled through a wringer, hurled off a cliff, blown up with dynamite, run over
by a truck, squeezed through a knothole, and then having an Acme safe dropped on
his head.
Exhaustion is the burn out toddlers experience after skipping their afternoon
nap. I can relate when I see a two year old in a shopping mall throw himself to
the floor sobbing. There are many days I feel like doing that, but I lack the
energy required to cry.
The worst thing about chronic fatigue is that even after a full night's sleep, I
still don't feel refreshed. Most mornings I wake up just as tired as I was when
I went to bed. Fatigue is like a thirst that is never quenched or a hunger
that's not satisfied. I rarely get "enough" rest.
Though I've dealt with weakness and fatigue for years, it still frustrates me. I
get angry when the most strenuous activity I can accomplish is taking a shower.
And I hate disappointing others by canceling outings because I need a hoist to
lift myself off the couch. It's infuriating that I can be energetic and
ambitious one day while the next day every cell in my body hurts and I need
toothpicks to hold my eyes open.
Thinking about this recently got me so upset it triggered a hot flash. I decided
to do something about it. So I started whining.
I’ve developed complaining to a fine art, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t help
the situation. In fact, focusing on the negative usually makes things seem even
more miserable.
There’s a passage in the Bible about weariness. Isaiah 40:29 says God gives
strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. It says those who
hope in the Lord will renew their strength, run without growing weary, and soar
on wings like eagles.
Hmmm. I don't feel strong or powerful. I certainly don't soar, and I can't even
remember when I ran last. Some days it takes all the energy I can muster just to
move from lying to a sitting position. So what gives? Where's all this power
that the Bible promises?
Obviously, God's not promising literal physical strength. In His perfect will,
He knows that what we really need is INNER strength.
And guess what. The best way to develop strength within is to face problems
without. Problems like physical ailments and fatigue. Shucks! You didn’t want to
hear that, did you? Problems may wear down the body, but they can build up the
spiritual "struggle muscles." When God gives strength to the weary, it may be in
the form of perseverance, patience, determination, or greater faith. You may not
run faster, jump higher, or leap Misery Mountain in a single bound; but you can
likely feel your hope and your relationship with Him grow stronger.
God provides strength to battle discouragement, strength to remain obedient,
strength to keep hope alive, and strength to endure.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth about how he was physically
persecuted, hard pressed, perplexed, and struck down, yet he did not despair. (2
Corinthians 4)
In the same way, even though my body isn't satisfied or renewed by physical
rest, my soul can be satisfied by God. He revives my weary spirit with spiritual
strength.
In 2 Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul listed some of his hardships, which included
being beaten with rods, shipwrecked, stoned, imprisoned, flogged, and deprived
of food, water, and sleep. He'd been naked, cold, and afflicted with a "thorn"
in his flesh. Even so, he could say he delighted in his weakness, hardships, and
difficulties. What was that? Delighted?! That must be a typo. He couldn’t have
said he was delighted, could he? Yes, that’s what he said alright. Then he went
on to say, "God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.
When I am weak, then I am strong."
Now when I consider the attitude Paul had, even in desperate situations, I (try
to) replace my whining "Why me" attitude with a more submissive "Whatever you
want for me, Lord." With a new perspective, I can hope for the best; but I also
prepare for the worst. And then I accept whatever God sends.
Though I am weak and tired, I can be strong in His power.
Marsha Jordan hugsandhope@gmail.com
Author of Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter Laugh out loud, inspirational essays
Illustrated by critically ill children
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