Letters of Paul: 30-Day Reading PlanSample

Where To Turn When Your Heart Grows Weary

Desperation can lead us to do things we’d never imagine. When the pain is overwhelming, the pill doesn’t look so bad. When our debt is crippling, taking the deal or cutting a corner doesn’t seem like as big of a deal.

When desperate times have us considering desperate measures, we can find ourselves looking to God and asking, “How much longer?” (Psalm 6:3-4). Paul knew these days were coming if they hadn’t already, and he tells the church in Galatia to be ready:

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path... Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself” (Galatians 6:1-3, NLT).

When it all gets to be too much, we need the gentle encouragement of a good friend. We need people who will help us keep going, who won’t look down on us for feeling tempted but will remind us who we are and the power we carry inside.

In Christ, we are eternal beings; so whatever happens here on earth is not the end all be all. It’s a snapshot in a much longer story. The Holy Spirit is reminding us of that all the time. He’s the gentle voice that says, “Keep going, kid. This isn’t all there is.”

If we draw near to God in the hardest of times, we’ll see His Spirit strengthen and shape us in ways we cannot imagine. Paul promises that, if we do not grow weary in doing good, we will reap a harvest of blessings (Galatians 6:9).

Sometimes that blessing comes in the form of a new job, an unexpected relationship, or a long-awaited answer to prayer. But other times, blessing is harder to point to. It’s the intimacy that comes after weeping to God, and the confidence that comes from Him show up in friends and church family.

Reflect:

• Have you ever been so desperate for God’s help that you could relate to David’s words in Psalm 6? What did you learn about God during that season or situation?
  
• What do you think of when you count your blessings? God cares for us in all kinds of ways.
  
  • If you tend to think first of material blessings, take some time today to thank God for the spiritual blessings in your life.
    
  • If you tend to focus on the spiritual blessings, make a list of some of the ways He’s taken care of you physically or materially.
    
• Are you weary today? Let someone help you carry your burden.