Finding Strength in a Weary Season
It's that time again. I was actually supposed to share an update last week, but I felt led to share something else instead. So, here we are, a week later, and it's time to catch you up on what's been happening with my health journey.
I'm going to be honest. This past month hasn't been great.
I've been feeling more tired than usual, and Allen and I have almost completely stopped our evening walks. There are several reasons for that, but the biggest one has been the time change. We've talked about getting up earlier and fitting our walks in at the beginning of the day, but so far, that hasn't happened. I just can't seem to get myself out of bed. In fact, I've rearranged my morning routine to allow myself more sleep. That's how tired I've been.
I'm also dealing with quite a few aches and pains. My shoulders have been bothering me, and I already know I have arthritis in my right shoulder. Now I'm beginning to wonder if I might have it in my left shoulder, too, because that shoulder has started hurting. I've also noticed similar pain in my hip. I don't know what's going on, and I certainly don't want to jump to any conclusions, but these are things I plan to discuss with my doctor.
I have an appointment with her the day before Thanksgiving to check my thyroid levels, and I'll be bringing up these new aches and pains as well. I'm hoping to get some answers and a better understanding of what's going on.
I won't pretend that all of this hasn't affected me mentally and emotionally. When you're constantly tired and dealing with discomfort, it can wear on you in ways that go beyond the physical. There are also some personal things happening in my life that have been weighing heavily on my heart. I don't want to blame everything on my health, because that wouldn't be honest either. Sometimes several things come together, and before you realize it, you're carrying more than you thought.
But something wonderful happened this past weekend, and while I'm not quite ready to share the details, I can tell you that it has made a big difference in how I've been feeling. My energy has picked back up, and my emotions and overall outlook have improved. I'm still tired and dealing with the aches and pains, but mentally and emotionally, I'm in a much better place than I was.
As I look back over this month, I realize how easy it is to become discouraged when things aren't going the way we planned. I want to be walking consistently. I want to feel better. I want to see progress. But right now, those things aren't happening the way I hoped they would.
And that's where I have to remind myself that this journey is about more than a walking schedule, a number on the scale, or even how much energy I have on a given day. It's about learning to be faithful in every season, including the ones that are uncomfortable, frustrating, and difficult to understand.
Finding Strength in God's Promises
Isaiah 40:29–31 reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. It goes on to tell us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
I love that reminder because it doesn't promise that we'll never grow tired. It reminds us where our strength comes from when we do.
Sometimes we need physical rest. Sometimes we need answers. Sometimes we need a change in circumstances. And sometimes, we simply need the Lord to renew our strength so we can take the next step.
I don't know exactly what the next month will look like. I do know that I want to get back to walking regularly, continue working with my doctor, and be more intentional about taking care of the body God has entrusted to me. I'm asking you to pray for me as I work toward those things.
And if you're going through a season where you're tired, discouraged, or carrying things that others may not see, I hope you'll remember that you don't have to find all your strength within yourself. God has not asked us to do this alone.
I'm still here. Still trusting. And still taking this journey one day at a time.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being our strength when we are weary and for reminding us that we don't have to face difficult seasons alone.
I pray for everyone reading this who may be struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually. You know what each of us is carrying, even the things we haven't found the words to share. Please bring healing where it is needed, comfort where there is heartache, and renewed strength where we feel worn down.
Help us to be patient with ourselves and faithful with the things You have placed before us. Give us wisdom as we care for our bodies, discipline when we need it, and the courage to keep going when the road feels difficult.
When our strength runs low, remind us to turn to You. Help us not to measure our progress only by what we can see, but to recognize the ways You are working in us along the way.
Thank You for Your faithfulness in every season. May our lives, our choices, and even the way we care for ourselves bring honor and glory to You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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I love to repeat the verse Philippians 4:13 when I don’t feel like I can keep going. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Thank you for sharing that, Ann. Philippians 4:13 is such a good reminder, especially in a season when our own strength feels like it's running low. I'm so glad we don't have to muster it up on our own. He really does carry us when we can't keep going. Praying He renews your strength today, just like He's been renewing mine.