Jon Allen

Have you ever had a season in life that you thought would never end? Whether it was walking through difficulties or simply being overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of what you faced in that moment? I know the answer to these questions for all of us is a resounding "YES!"

We all face times like these in our lives. We all encounter difficult and hectic times that seem unbearable. They seem like they may never end and we just might not make it through this time unscathed. We get weary and find ourselves striving for easier and less stressful times.

Since we all face times like these, how do we endure? How do we push through and persevere during these times that seem as though they may never end? Where do we find the strength to make it through?

I believe wholeheartedly that this answer along with all others can be answered in the Bible. It is our source of strength, hope and guidance for every day. As we turn to scripture to answer the question of where we get our strength, I'm reminded of a passage from Isaiah 40:28-31 which reads:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired 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.”

What an encouragement! We have a who that was big enough and strong enough to create the world in which we live. A God who never grows tired and weary but has the strength to help all who are weary. 

It is a good reminder that even the young men grow tired and weary and not just those of us who have been around awhile. In other words, we all grow tired and weary at times but we have a source of strength to see us through.

The key is to have hope in the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth. It is in his strength that we can endure. The problem is that we attempt to muscle through times of weariness in our own strength. We take on more than we should.

The key to perseverance is not found in our own strength but in his. The one who never tires or gets weary and has enough power to see us through anything. We must simply turn to him.

When you find yourself in a trying and difficult season remember to turn to the one who can see you through. Turn to God and place your hope in him. You will find when you turn to him and hope in him your strength will be renewed.

(Jon Allen is the associate pastor of Grace Point in Powell.)