my operating table

Day 10: A scripture that makes you smile

I don’t know about you, but I get tired a lot. It all began in middle school when I was playing basketball and we had to do copious amounts of sprints. I came home from practice every day completely exhausted. Then, my freshman year of high school I got mono—that took me to a new level of tired. After that I had a series of random diseases and illnesses, all of them taking their toll on me in different ways. 

Only in the last couple of years have I started to scratch the surface of what it means to be tired spiritually. The battle we’re fighting with Satan is an exhausting one. He’s constantly coming at you, and you’re constantly having to fight him off. It exhausts your will. The better you get—the stronger you get—the harder he fights. It’s a battle we’ll be fighting until we die, and that’s no doubt the reason that Paul tells us he’d already been poured out for Christ. He’d given the fight all of him. 

I can only hope I give my entire self and my entire strength to the cause of Christ. And when/if I do?

“But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Like I mentioned yesterday, those that overcome shall have their strength renewed. When I’m tired, this verse is especially comforting. When my strength is seemingly gone, I can know that it will be renewed as long as I wait on the LORD. The word ‘wait’ there literally means to endure or to remain. Those who remain faithful to the Lord will have their strength renewed or more literally, have their weariness exchanged for strength. We can never spend ourselves for God because He has promised to replenish us! 

When you’re tired—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually— know that God will exchange your weariness for strength. 

There are quite a few options for where you might be this Valentine’s Day.

1: Single and bitter toward all things love.

2: Single and hopeful for a love that will enter your life soon.

3: Single and perfectly content with where you are.

4: In a relationship but bitter you have to get someone a present after such a short time.

5: In a committed relationship and excited to spend this day with the person you love.

6: In a relationship but away from the person you love, thus bitter.

7: Happily married.

8: In an unhappy marriage.

9: Divorced (refer back to #1)

10: Divorced (refer to #2)

Regardless of the state you’re in, there are a few things that you can do today to make your life and your situation better.

It all comes from Romans 12:

1: Love without hypocrisy (verse 9)

2: Cling to the good things (verse 9)

3: Be affectionate to everyone (verse 10)

4: Think of others above yourself (verse 10)

5: Rejoice in hope (verse 12)

6: Be patient in trying times (verse 12)

7: Always, always pray (verse 12)

8: Give liberally to your brothers and sisters (verse 13)

9: Show hospitality to all (verse 13)

10: Shower blessings on those who don’t like you—even on those who make your life harder (verse 14)

11: Be happy for people who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad (verse 15)

12: Don’t be arrogant (verse 16)

13: Don’t treat others badly, regardless of how they treat you (verse 17)

14: Do all that you can to get along with everyone (verse 18)

If we’re focusing on these things—on truly loving each other—we’re all going to have a great Valentine’s Day, regardless of our situations.

On this day, know that God loves you and sent His Son to die for you. Let us never forget to show our love for the Father (for all He has given to us) by obeying His commands.