Are You Tired And Worn Out?

Radnor Lake

ARE YOU TIRED AND WORN OUT?

By Leann Albrecht

One Tuesday morning I was spending time with the Lord, inquiring of Him as to what encouragement He wanted me to bring to The Well that evening. Emphatically the Lord responded and said, “My people need rest!” It took me by surprise at first but then as I reflected on my own state of well-being, those words resonated within me. Even I was tired and needed rest!!

The Message is a great translation that perfectly describes how many of us feel. Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

There are two kinds of rest. One is a Sabbath rest that is explained in Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains, then, a rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest….

This kind of rest should be a regular “happening” in our lives at least one day a week. Carl and I implemented the discipline and principle of the Sabbath into our lives early on in our marriage. I believe it is one of the things that has kept us happily together …..and in love. Regular time off – together. What a concept, right?

If you would like to read the miraculous story of how God showed us the importance of the Sabbath, you can find it in my book – Screaming on The Inside. The chapter is called Sabbath, What’s The Big Deal?  Order online

The second kind of “rest” is putting our trust and faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness on a daily basis. You may ask, “Practically, what does that look like?”

Generally, my moments of anxiety happen right in the middle of the night. Does anyone relate? When it’s dark, when I am quiet and alone, in my most vulnerable place….TIRED! Satan loves to jump on every opportunity to terrorize us when we are the weakest.

You know the feeling. Waking up with a start, your heart is pounding, your head is spinning and there seems to be no hope or solution in the thoughts to which you’re wrestling. It seems that God has left you to be tortured by the demons of hell.

First of all, let me tell you that you are not alone. Satan succeeds in these “worry-stress-anxious” moments with nearly everyone, from time to time. If he can’t get you while you are awake, he will try to get you while you’re asleep. So now that we have exposed his tactics, let’s go for the counter attack. What should we do in those moments?

Let’s face it, at three o’clock in the morning, there’s really nothing we can do except pray. However, the posture of your heart must be one that, most importantly, remembers who you are. You are a daughter or son of the Most High God. He lives IN you! 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Satan is in the world so therefore, we can overcome him! That’s great news!

It also requires of us to take authority over the imaginations of gloom, doom and disaster.  2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

I do that by saying out loud, “I choose to put my trust in the living God. Satan has NO authority over me. I WILL NOT FEAR.”  Because I choose to rest in Jesus finished work on the cross, I am easily healed, easily blessed and receive easily from Him.

Then I picture myself releasing my hold and control of the troubling situation – allowing God be GOD and to do His job. I’ll often say out loud, “God, this is your problem to fix now. I’m going back to sleep while you take are of it.” I can’t tell you how many times, when I wake up, something has shifted. Yes, part of it may have been that I let go and let God have the problem….then got a good night’s rest. However, in my declaration, I acted on faith…whether I FELT like it or not. Faith moves the heart of God. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

It’s almost like He allows these “trust” issues to be tested so that our “faith muscle” can mature. As you begin to take authority in the power of Jesus name, every time satan attacks you, it will become easier. You’ll find that as you get stronger and stronger, you will begin to help others believe for their breakthrough.

So in closing…a quote from Joseph Prince- Stop trying so hard!  “Trying” presumes YOU are strong  “Resting” presumes HE is strong.  Let go and let God take over – start receiving His love, provision, protection, comfort, and healing instead of trying to earn it…or at best, trying to accomplish it in your own strength.

He is saying to you, “Will you rest in ME? Let me love you and show you all that I have for you.”  He loves you sooooo much!!

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) But those who wait for the Lord – who expect, look for, and hope in Him -shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Be blessed!

Leann Albrecht

www.leannalbrecht.com