What do you do when you feel exhausted and overwhelmed? Do you know that God has the best medicine when you feel exhausted? That is His presence and His words of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement.
A quick look at the e-mail brought me a new problem and a new task. I have been working so intensively for a couple of weeks and things kept piling. Nothing worked as it should. I just could not take it anymore. I felt overwhelmed, exhausted and anxious, no motivation, no focus. My exhaustion and frustration burst into tears. I sobbed and prayed. I needed to hear from the Lord, to tap into the comfort of His presence.
The Best Medicine When You Feel Exhausted
God provides for us the spiritual refreshment we need in His word. He gives but we need to open our minds and hearts to receive. We need time one-on-one with Him. On that day when I was so desperate without the strength to carry on, I read from the book of Isaiah chapters 42 to 45, Isaiah 40:2-31 and Psalm 139. Let’s hear what God is saying to the exhausted and weary (paraphrase)!
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You Will Not Get Drowned in the Mighty Waters of Exhaustion!
“I have created you; you are mine. Do not fear, I have redeemed you! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. The rivers will not sweep over you! You will not get drowned in the mighty water of exhaustion; you will not burn out. When you walk through the fire, the flames will not set you ablaze. This will not happen because I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2)
“You are my servant; I delight in you and I have put My Spirit in you. You will not falter nor be discouraged. I take hold of your hand, I keep you, and will make you succeed in your mission and calling to bring light, to open blind eyes, and to set captives free. (Isaiah 42:1-7).
When you feel exhausted take one to one time with God and let the water of His love and truth refresh your weary soul. #exhausted #encouragement #Bible Share on XGod Is the Source of Your Strength!
“Strengthen yourself in acknowledging that I am the everlasting God, the Creator of everything. I will not grow tired or weary, and My understanding no one can fathom. I give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, stumble and fall; but if you put your hope in Me, you will renew your strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary; you will walk and not be faint! (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
“I have chosen you; I have formed you in the womb and I will help you! It is me who is watering your dry places with my Spirit pouring out blessings on you! You will spring like grass in the meadow, like a tree by a flowing stream. (Isaiah 44:1-5)
More Medicine from God’s Word When You Feel Exhausted
“You are my witness that I am God. Forget what was yesterday, see the new things in you and your life I am doing today! Focus on my provision today! I am doing new things! I am your Way-maker and Provider! (Isaiah 43:12, 18-19)
God Is Guiding You and He Will Make You Succeed!
“You are walking along unfamiliar paths. But they are familiar to me. I am guiding you turning the darkness into light before you and making rough places smooth. These are the things I am doing; I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Isaiah 42:16)
“I take hold of your right hand and subdue problems and obstacles before you. I go before you and level the mountains; I open doors before you and make a way for you. I give you hidden treasures and riches along the way I lead you. “(Isaiah 45:1-4)
Rest in God’s Complete Knowledge and Care!
“Come, lean on my complete care and knowledge of you. I know you inside out and know exactly what you need. My Spirit is always with you! Rest in my embrace! Let me search and test and know your anxious thoughts! Let me lead you in the everlasting way. “ (Psalm 139)
“I am your God and Savior! You are precious and honored in my sight, I love you and I give everything for you! Do not be afraid for I am with you! (Isaiah 43:3-5)
Other Important Steps When You Feel Exhausted
The most important step is to take our one-to-one time with God and let the water of His love and truth refresh our weary souls. Nevertheless, we need to take some more steps in order to recover fully and prevent running dry again. Such steps can be:
- Identification of the reasons that have caused this exhaustion.
- Taking time to rest – physically and mentally. Planning breaks during the day and weekly.
- Asking for help from other people, reaching out for support.
- Examination of our boundaries. Saying no to some things and people so we can say yes to others.
- Asking God for wisdom and discernment on how to manage our work.
- Drawing strength regularly from the One, who does not grow weary.
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Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu
Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer
Life Changing Stories by Mary Armand
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
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Your Turn
What do you do when you struggle with exhaustion? What has helped you the most? Come share your thoughts.
Free Printable
I’ve created a printable with Bible verses to help you when you feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Click here to view, print, or download. Enjoy!
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For more Bible verses in different translations and languages, you can visit BibleGateway.com. It is a great place to read and study the Bible.
The best medicine when you feel exhausted is tapping into God’s presence and His words of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement. #exhausted #GodsWord #BibleStudy Share on X Exhausted? Open your heart to receive the spiritual refreshment God provides in His word. #exhausted #encouragement #BibleStudy Share on XI send my newsletter “Keep the Faith” every two weeks. I share with you first the newest blog post, recommended books and articles, and the newest freebies and resources to keep the faith.
I was drawn to your post because I DO feel exhausted right now. It’s been a busy season with the birth of a new granddaughter, but even good things can be exhausting things. Thanks for these reminders about God and his faithfulness.
You are so right, Lisa! Even good things can be exhausting and bring stress… Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter! I pray that God blesses her, and keeps and protects her! And for extra grace and strength for you and the parents!
Great post, Hadassah! I have been feeling pretty exhausted this week. These reminders are important!
Thank you, Lesley! I am glad that the post was helpful.
Amen! What a beautiful list of verses—Isaiah 40 is one of my favorite chapters. It’s easy to cut out of time with God when life gets busy, but I’ve learned that busyness means I need extra time with God—it makes all the unexpected things seem so much more manageable! I also sometimes have to remind myself that the world won’t stop spinning if I take a nap or go to bed early to catch up on physical rest. In fact, I end up getting more done and SAVE time!
I fully agree with you, Anita! We fall so easily in this trap to cut off our time to rest thinking this is the way to accomplish more. I love your approach – busyness means we need extra time with God!
Sometimes our weary soul doesn’t recognize him that he is our true friend accompanying us through the hard paths of life. So that we can easily reach our predetermined destination without any hardship, he’s always guiding us so that we can pass through the water of exhaustion, depression.
Thank you, Jason! Yes, unfortunately, when we feel exhausted and overwhelmed we tend often to run away from God and find relief in other things and people, forgetting that He is our true rest and the Source of our strength.
This is so encouraging and it is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank so much for sharing the Truths of hope we need to help us.
Thank you, Cheryl! I am so glad that you feel encouraged!
Thanks for these reminders. It’s so easy to say God is in control, but then I try to take it all back by doing things in my own timing. I appreciate your tips.
Thank you, Lisa! Yes, I struggle with this too:) It is not easy to stay in this position of trust. We naturally tend to take control back. But God is faithful to remind us and convict us when we have slipped back.
God’s word is the best medicine when you are exhausted! I love the verses you chose, so perfect! And your ‘practical’ strategies are great too!
I’ve identified the source of my exhaustion, (the toddler who doesn’t like sleep) and am working on teaching him to sleep better….
Thank you, Aryn! I can understand – it is not easy not to be exhausted with a toddler! 😉 I pray for extra strength and help for you in this season of your life.
God really does have it all covered! He’s got our back always. Thanks for the encouragement today!
Thx for this helpful resources, since I do feel very often exhausted. Especially Psalm 139 rang a bell n myself. I’ll use these words more often from now on.
Thank you! I love this Psalm too! It is my constant reminder to acknowledge every moment of my day God’s loving presence and care.