Finding Strength in God's Truth When You're Feeling Helpless and Beaten DownSample

I feel helpless and beaten down by my own mistakes

Moses was 80 years old and beaten down. He’d been an up-and-coming leader in the land of Egypt. He was looked up to and had everything going for him until one day when he saw an Egyptian beating his fellow Hebrew countryman. The injustice angered him and he killed the Egyptian and buried him. He thought no one saw him, and that his fellow Hebrews would appreciate his brave rescue – but no, he had been caught, and Pharoah tried to kill him. Even his fellow Hebrews didn’t trust him – so he fled for his life to the land of Midian, where he had spent the last 40 years as a shepherd in the desert of a foreign country. You can read the story in Exodus 2. He probably felt that his life was wasted, and that he was a total failure. But God still loved him, and you can read Exodus 3 to see how God used Moses in a mighty rescue of the Hebrews!

Are you feeling helpless, exhausted from trying to be perfect for someone else? Do you have the ugly words of others ringing in your memory about your mistakes and failures? There is an answer – and it is life changing and beautiful!

Listen to the words of Jesus, written for you, in Matthew 11:28-29; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Psalm 119:27-29; “Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.”

Isaiah 40:28-31;“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Jesus asks us to “learn from me,” the Psalmist asks the Lord to “teach me your law,” and Isaiah declares that our untiring, all-wise God in heaven will give His strength to those who hope in Him alone. Learn from Him by reading the Bible daily, asking Him to teach you how He wants you to live. Walk in His strength, trusting Him to be faithful to all His promises. Jesus has given you victory over the enemy, and you will find peace in a growing relationship with Him. God is not finished writing your story, walk with Him and let Him show you how He can delight your heart in all circumstances.

Reflection: The Psalmist poured his heart out to God, confessing his sin and praising the Lord’s glory. The safest place to be is in the center of the heart of God. Spend some time sharing the burdens of your heart with Him; the promises of His Truth will bring you peace so that you will be able to live in victory over the lies of the world, and the lies of the enemy.