Lord, Give Me Strength

Oh goodness, I overslept! That's what I thought to myself when I opened my eyes this morning and realized that I'd slept a whole hour longer than I should have. Why didn't the alarm go off? I checked the clock on the night-stand next to the bed thinking that maybe I forgot to turn it on, but nope, it was on...I just didn't hear it. "I'm so tired," I said out loud while stretching and trying to peel myself out of the bed, and thinking about how exhausted I've been feeling lately. For a quick second, I considered taking a personal day from work, taking the kids to the sitter and staying home to catch up on some rest.  Instead I whispered, "Lord, give me strength" and proceeded to get my day started (although I would have been just fine doing absolutely nothing today.)

Though I'm a bit sluggish and my eyes are still a little heavy, I know that God will give me the strength I need to make it through the day.

I think we all experience times in our life when we are just flat-out tired, whether it's emotionally, physically, spiritually, or mentally. I have definitely found myself praying for strength in all of the aforementioned areas at some time or another in my life. 

When we feel exhausted, in whatever area, our drive to keep going diminishes and before long we'll find ourself wanting to shut down.  Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with rest...it's necessary.  But, the type of exhaustion I'm speaking about is one that makes you want to give up and throw in the towel.  One that says I'm tired of this...I can't do it anymore...I quit.  The kind that seemingly depletes every ounce of strength you have.  We must always be mindful of the fact that the enemy will try to creep in and infiltrate our mind and spirit by any means necessary, and if it even looks like we're about to give in that's when he'll come in and try to wreak havoc in our life.  We can't let that happen...give no room to the devil (as the old folks say).

During those times when I feel my strength failing, whether natural or spiritual, I whisper a simple little prayer, "Lord, give me strength. With your strength I know I can make it."  And he indeed gives me the strength and fortitude I need to go on a little further. I just love God.

If you find yourself tired, exhausted, burnt out...just say Lord, give me strength.  Or even if you've just got a lot on your plate and you need a little strength to carry out the assignments God has given you, just say Lord, give me strength.  With His strength you'll make it.

Til we meet again...live more, worry less, laugh often!

Your sister in Christ,
Keisha