Defeated

God shows in Genesis that we need to rest. The Ten Commandments tell us to keep the Sabbath. Everything else around us tells us to do more, make more, go go go. It is easy to fall into the trap of doing more. I think I’m the master of it. But, what do you do when you feel called to what you are doing. Where is the balance and the rest? How does the soul leave a place of being defeated,calm itself and make space for the holy? 

I’ve been going full steam ahead for some months now. My soul is weary. I find small moments of rest, but the “to do” list dominates my days seven days a week. A few hours set aside for family means a pile up for the coming days. I made a plan to create some space to let go of what seemed like the obvious choice. This was to bring balance back to life. This was going to create space for my soul to rest with God fully. 

Needless to say, I was told no that my plan woudn’t work at this time. My spirit was crushed. I felt defeated. Now what do I do?

And me? I pray. God, it’s time for a break! God, answer in love! Answer with your sure salvation! (Psalm 69:13 MSG).

That has exactly been my prayer for months.  The problem is it’s not working. I still feel defeated, and my soul weary. I need patience. I need hope. I’m changing my prayer.

[ Developing Patience ] By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. (Romans 5:1-2 MSG).

I will keep looking for a way to create space for my weary soul and pray with hope for that moment when I find myself in the place I hope for. Instead of begging God for relief, I’m choosing hope filled with gratitude. It will happen. This is not an easy or natural choice, but a choice non the less. I will not be defeated.

Where do you turn when your soul is weary. How do you find hope? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.

2 thoughts on “Defeated

  1. Mary, while in Stillwater, I made use of the Retreat Center near Marine on St. Croix. I was so tired and I spent 3 days there. One night, I went into the chapel in the darkness and felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. What a joy. We all need times of quietness and aloneness. Thanks for the devotional. Walt Flesner

Leave a Reply to Mary MichenerCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.