Tired Of Being Tired
October 15, 2003 • By Ed Wrather
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. - Isaiah 40:28-29.
In Miami, Florida, Daniel Gallagher was arrested for armed robbery of two banks within 20 minutes and for threatening to discharge an explosive device. Gallagher told bank tellers that he had a bomb in the bag he was carrying, and he then demanded that he be given one hundred dollars, which the teller quickly gave to him. Actually, his bag contained only a can of beer. Gallagher, who is 46 years old, grew tired after his second robbery and so he took a break to rest his tired feet. The police caught up with him while he was still resting. According to police, Gallagher has an extensive arrest record.
Have you ever noticed that sin is a tiring business? It doesn’t matter whether sin is an armed robbery or a little white lie it drains the energy and life out of you. Sin robs you of sleep and what sleep you are able to have is not restful. Sin robs you of peace of mind and instead gives you anxiety, worry, and depression. Sin may very well give you fear as you fear the consequences of discovery of your actions or the result of your actions. Sin creates friction in your relationships and that friction adds to your tiredness.
How can you have strength when you are weak, and your energy for living has been drained? Only by recognizing the ultimate source of strength and energy. That ultimate source is God. When we are involved willfully in sin, we are disconnected from the source of strength, peace, and life. To plug into that ultimate source, we must turn from our sin agreeing with what God says about our sin, which is that it is wrong. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins….” Confession involves agreeing with how God sees our sin. Basically, that means that we agree we were wrong, and that God is right. It is repentance, turning from what we want to what God wants with our lives.
If we want peace, life, energy, and strength it boils down to which we love the most - God, or our sin. We cannot have both. We must make a choice, and for most people, it will be a daily choice whether to live for God or to live for sin.
So, how tired are you of being tired? Tired enough to ask God for help? Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).”