We all experience weariness at times. Because of the many demands that assault us daily, we have a tendency to wear down quickly. Also, there is a physical weariness that is a direct result of hard labor, and that kind of wear and tear, within Biblical limitations, is actually healthy. However, there is also a weariness that is just as real in the spiritual realm, which I want to address.
In “the good fight of faith,” one of our adversary’s “fiery darts” is to wear down the child of God. But God, knowing the nature of Satan’s wiles, tells us to look to Jesus, “lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” In other words, we will be assaulted in our walk of faith with the lie that we need to give up before we crack up.
The reason that we are exhorted to not grow weary in doing good is because it’s the enemy’s tactic to get us to become weary! Spiritual weariness is of the flesh. I’ve noticed people fall by the wayside, as well as among rocks or thorns, because they’ve simply given up doing the things of God. Interestingly, these same people have the amazing capacity to feed their flesh and live for worldly desires after the same hard day’s work that supposedly keeps them from Bible study, prayer, etc. How true are the prophet’s words today for the sleeping saint, “She has wearied herself with lies”. The devil’s intention is “to speak great words against the Most High and wear down the saints”.
There is, of course, a wearing out due to diligence within the Church, but even this is not always a good thing. Trials and distress certainly can make us weary, but there is also a healthy weariness that is tired of kicking “against the goads” which can produce a sorrow leading to repentance.
Spiritual weariness is partly due to a lack of spiritual preparation. The Bible teaches that “those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength… and not be weary”. Can it be that we aren’t making it a priority to wait on God to receive the empowerment of His Spirit that we need? Even though saved and heaven-bound, many saints today are weary in their serving because they do it in their own limited strength. The apostle Paul said he served Christ even “in weariness”. How? By receiving God’s grace. This takes place through prayer.
The remedy for spiritual weariness is spiritual exercise. Remember your “first love”, and start your day with Him. Allow the dart of weariness to send you to your prayer closet or to God’s Word. His grace will strengthen you.
