How's Your Tank?

 Even youths grow tires 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. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

How's your tank? Are you running on empty?

We are entering into one of the busiest seasons of the year. This coming week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Some of us will travel, some of us will stay home, and some of us will have to work.

There are days when I get overwhelmed by thinking about all that lies ahead: decorating, buying gifts, more cooking, cleaning...the list can go on and on. 

Occasionally, I feel like nothing is going right. My body isn't cooperating from arthritis to other aches and pains, from allergies to tummy troubles. I wonder when will my body just work right?

Every so often I get frustrated with those around me. If they would just listen and pay attention things would just be so much better.

Lately, I have grown weary of our income. I had counted on a couple things happening that would increase our income and those opportunities did not happen.

All of this plus other things can cause me to grow weary, I wonder how I can possibly go on? This year has brought about challenges. Trials I was not counting on. It felt like God has said "No" a lot. I wonder "why, why God are you not granting my request?"

Recently, I read the book of Job. This is not a book in the Bible I enjoy- there are a few. This time though I asked God to help me see and learn something new. He granted that request. Job lost everything and yet he never blamed God. He grew weary and wondered "How long?"

“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Job 29:2-3

"Those who hope in the Lord, will renew," even though I have been weary I still have hope. 

Hope that Thanksgiving will be a day of thanks and not only that day but everyday to take the time to give thanks to God.

Hope that God will help me organize my day to accomplish what I need to, not all I want to, but what I need to. Our house will get decorated and gifts will get bought or made, somehow. Everything will be clean and food prepared.

Hope that my body will cooperate better and I will take care of myself.

Hope that my reaction to those around me will show His fruits and not my weariness.

Hope that I will trust in God's provisions. That I remember that He has always provided what is necessary and exactly when it was needed.

As I hope God will renew my strength and help me not to be weary. My prayer is that you will also find your hope in Him and let Him restore your strength. He loves you!