Home Pastors Articles for Pastors What to Do When You’re Tired (and the Battle Rages)

What to Do When You’re Tired (and the Battle Rages)

So, what do ya do when you’re blemished and battle-weary?

  • Keep fighting. Don’t let your guard down. OK, you’re old, tired and beat up, and you don’t shine like you used to (or thought you once did). As my friend Jack Little used to say, “Keep swinging the sword!” King David blew it in his old age because when he should have been at war with his troops, he was lounging on the rooftop drinking Mai Tais. Stay in the battle. Always. Keep. Fighting. (The alternative is worse.)
  • Maintain vital connection to others. Don’t get isolated. When you’re tired, the temptation is to withdraw and hide. We tell ourselves (or the enemy whispers), You just need to be alone. The greater your weariness, the greater your need for connection to others who can stand with you and hold you up. I love the story of how Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses when he no longer could. When you’re pooped, you need more support, not less.

For the record, I’m good. I’m not suicidal or on the brink moving to a cabin in the wilds of Canada. (I’m too old to learn how to speak Canadian.)

As it happens, my dents just remind me—all the time—of how much I need Jesus—all the time.

Here’s a crazy idea: Maybe my beat-up armor is a badge of honor that should remind me that God has always been faithful to me. He’s always been my strength and my shield. He’s always been my helper.

So, fear not, I’m alive and kickin’.

Still breathing.

And still in the fight.

All because of Jesus.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. – Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

This article originally appeared here.