A Prayer for the Weary Soul
By Emily Rose Massey
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” - James 1:2-3 NKJV
Even as a Christian, sometimes it feels like such a fight to hold onto peace, hope, and joy. Knowing true peace, hope, and joy are not circumstantial, during my battle with severe sleep deprivation from sleep troubles with my children, I had to lean on God’s grace to get through every single day, unlike any other time in my life. I knew the Bible told me that I needed to “count it all joy” amid these trials, but I needed God to give me eyes to see the why and empower me to follow his lead. After his initial greeting to the tribes of Israel in the opening of James’ letter, he immediately began exhorting and encouraging God’s people. He wrote, there is a purpose within the painful storms of life. James 1:2-3 says:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (NKJV).
We know as children of God; our Heavenly Father allows trials in our lives to strengthen our faith in Him and is always working things for our good (Romans 8:28). James 1:3 reveals this sharpening or testing of our faith ‘muscles’ will produce patience in us, which is a fruit of the Spirit. God will often use painful, uncomfortable, and stressful situations to sanctify us. We can have joy knowing these storms and difficulties are molding us into looking more like Christ.
Ultimately, we must remember our joy is not anchored in this life, but most importantly, in the life to come. When our lives are filled with trials, we must be able to look to the future—to heaven—to find the joy that can soothe our weary hearts. Our joy must be based on looking to God and to the inheritance we will receive in heaven. This is exactly what Jesus did. He was able to endure the cross because of the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). We, too, must realize that the suffering we endure in this life cannot compare with the joy laid up for us in heaven. So, chin up, dear one. God will strengthen you to endure all things, no matter how weary you may currently feel. To be able to count all suffering joyfully, we must look to God and cling to Him.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, I’m weary and hurting. I have asked so many times for this suffering to be removed and for You to rescue me from this storm. I feel depleted. I feel like I’m drowning. But I realize You have not called me to live by my feelings or by what I see happening around me; You have called me to walk by faith. And as my faith in You rises in me, I trust that You have me exactly where I am supposed to be -dependent upon Your grace. In my weakness, I know You are my strength. I praise You in my pain, and I ask that You use this trial, suffering, and storm to change me to look more like Christ- all for Your glory. I know I may endure weeping in the night, but Your joy always comes- a joy that is not dependent upon my circumstances but is everlasting and sustaining even in the darkest of nights. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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