Maybe you, like me, are feeling purely exhausted in life, it’s 2024 and life and America as we know it is moving faster than ever – every day you’re met with unrealistic expectations to have it all, do it all, and be it all to everyone at all times. No wonder we are weary, no wonder we are living in the most anxious and depressed generation.

We were never created to wear that kind of weight, but nevertheless, we keep running and running, and running, for what?

God DOES NOT want us to have it all, do it all, be it all. In fact, He says quite the opposite. He wants to show us that He is capable of having it all, doing it all, and being it all for us. It’s the enemy’s lie, and quite possibly also society’s lie, that we need to do everything in our OWN strength, and because of this a lot of us are feeling sad, depressed, exhausted, overwhelmed, tired, anxious, burdened, or all of the above.

There is HOPE, and God makes very important promises to us. He promises us REST and STRENGTH.

Promise #1. Rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

I have learned in the chaos of life that when I let go and let God – I receive supernatural rest, a peace that surpasses all understanding. What a beautiful juxtaposition that is. Are you ready to let go and let God?

Promise #2. Strength.

In Isaiah 40:31 we hear a commonly quoted scripture:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

What do I see here? One promise. Three examples.

One Promise.

Renewed strength is a promise. But in order to receive our promised strength, there is a prerequisite – we have to hope, or I could say it even better, we get to hope. And not a hope that comes out of our own will, but a hope that is in the Lord.

What might that look like? That might look like praying and asking God for His perspective of your life, your situation, your schedule; daily including him on all your thoughts and asking Him to go before you; casting your weekly, daily, hourly worries onto him; and it might look like trusting Him. Trusting what He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Three Examples.

You will soar on wings like eagles.

You will run and not grow weary.

You will walk and not faint.

Why did Isaiah give us so many examples of the type of renewed strength we are promised when we hope in the Lord?

I believe he really wanted to drive the point home.

To the one who can barely stand, you will SOAR.

To the one who has to run in this season, you won’t grow weary.

To the one who is tired of walking, you will not faint.

He meets you where you are and He promises you renewed strength, all you need to do is hope in Him, let go of your expectations, talk to Him daily, and watch Him work. He wants more for you than a weary, busy, overwhelmed life. He wants you to SOAR.

It’s time to SOAR.

- Kayla Nordlum