Sick and tired of it?
My father told me as a teenager, “If it’s not in the Bible, don’t say it.”
At the time, he was telling me how to effectively communicate the Gospel to others. You see, I began ministering when I was eleven. I needed lots of guidance. So Dad’s number one rule was not to repeat clichés, ideas and popular stories just because others I knew and respected were saying those things. He told me to verify any opinions—whether they originated with me or not—with Scripture.
Dad wanted to be sure both my mentality and reality were being shaped by the word of God.
Today, I remain thankful for that guidance. I apply that wisdom to my daily life. I do my best to say what God says, no matter what others or my circumstances say.
A few years ago, this way of thinking proved invaluable when my prolonged season of sickness began. I wondered when God would deliver me. I was tempted to speak negatively. I was over it!
The words of civil rights heroine, Fannie Lou Hamer, summed up my feelings: I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. My soul was weary. But I yet believed God’s word was true. I meditated on and repeated Scriptures. I declared (even with tears rolling down my cheeks brought on by a mix of discouragement and physical pain), that at the appointed time, God would perform His word.
And if you are familiar with my story and have read my book, God Did It, then you know the Lord completely healed my body and turned it around for me. Even when life felt bitter, God’s word was sweet like honey to my soul. It soothed me and calmed me, and it built up my faith in the distressing times.
Psalm 19:10 says the divine principles and decrees found in the word of God are “sweeter than honey from the honeycomb.” Furthermore, Psalm 19:11 says “there is a great reward” waiting for those that have submitted to God, placed their confidence in Him and obeyed His word.
That’s good news, right?
Well, what if you have been relying on God’s word, trusting His promises, and following His precepts, and yet, turmoil and a tremendous amount of trouble is in your life? What do you do when you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired?
The answer is keep on confessing God’s promises over your problems, and expect to see change.
“God is turning it around for you. Believe that every day, even in the face of your struggle. Your faith activates God’s power. Don’t give up!”
At this moment, you could be feeling like the writer of Psalm 69:3 NLT, who said, “I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.”
Maybe Psalm 119:81-82 GNT describes you more accurately. Those verses say, “I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me; I place my trust in your word. My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised, while I ask, ‘When will you help me?’”
That psalmist, just as you may be, was sick and tired of being sick and tired. But don’t give up. Keep on trusting. Through tears and pain, be confident in the God of your salvation. If you notice, in Psalm 119:81, although the writer said he was worn out, there’s a but clause there.
He says, “…but I place my trust in your word.”
See that? This is the key to getting through those sick and tired seasons victoriously. It’s okay to cry… but keep on trusting. When you keep on holding fast to God’s promises, as I told you in today’s podcast, you will get up. God will free you!
God’s word never tells us we won’t ever be sick and tired of being sick and tired. The scriptures don’t say we won’t ever feel worn out. But the word of God does say in Hebrews 10:23, that regardless of how long it takes, “God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
He’s going to do it. In good times and bad, trust His word. When your body is aching and doctors give you a bad report, trust His word. When you don’t see any way possible out of this wilderness, trust God’s word. As some folks say, you’ve got to know that you know He will do it. I know for myself that there is no failure in God.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring the latter portion of Jeremiah 1:12 ESV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “…for I am watching over my word to perform it.” In the New Living Translation, it says, “I will certainly carry out all my plans."
As you drink down the contents of your cup, confess God’s word. He will bring it to pass. Though you may not be certain about the when or how of it all, you know Who is in control. And He is guaranteed not to fail you!
Now let’s pray.
God, no matter what it seems like, I know You reward faith. There is a harvest for me. I believe every word You have spoken and every promise You have made. Instead of worrying and fretting over how things look, I will cling to Your word and place my hope in You alone — the One who is ever-faithful and ever-true. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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