Even ordinary tasks can feel overwhelming. Stress, grief, mistakes, uncertainty, and ongoing trials can leave you emotionally and spiritually exhausted, wondering how you’ll find the strength to keep going. Psalm 121 reminds us where our help comes from: the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

God does not expect us to pretend we’re okay or power through every difficult season on our own. When you’re too tired to pray, too overwhelmed to see clearly, or simply unsure how to take the next step, you can bring that weakness to Him. Jesus offers rest to those who are weary, and the Holy Spirit intercedes when we don’t have the words. Even in the darkest seasons, God remains near, providing the strength, peace, and help we need for whatever comes next.

Highlights:

• What to do when you feel emotionally, physically, or spiritually worn down
• How Psalm 121 reminds us to look to God for help when life feels overwhelming
• Why God does not expect us to pretend we are okay or handle everything alone
• Finding rest in Jesus during seasons of exhaustion, stress, and hardship
• How the Holy Spirit helps us when we are too weak or tired to pray
• Why God’s presence remains with us even when we cannot feel or see Him
• Encouragement to trust God for the strength needed to take the next step

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Full Transcript Below:

When Life Wears You Down

By Alexis A. Goring

Bible Reading:
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

There’s a song by Tenth Avenue North that inspired this devotional. A melancholy melody starts, then the opening lyrics say how tired and worn they feel. They have a heavy heart from all the hard work it takes just to continue breathing. The mistakes they’ve made are creating a dark cloud over their heads, and the weight of the world is crushing their soul. But they know that God can give them rest, so with all they have left, they muster up a cry to Him. 

The singer says he knows he needs to lift his eyes up to God and remember Him, trusting God to see him through these tough times, but he feels too weak to look up because the trials and storms of life won’t cease. But he knows God can give him what he needs, renew his mind, and restore the brokenness of his soul. So, though they don’t have the will or energy to fight, they have hope because they know God will fight for them. 

This reminds me of the Bible verse above (Psalm 121). It also reminds me of words by Ellie Mont that she posted to her Instagram page a while ago. Mont said, “God is not far from you right now. God is not asking you to perform or pretend or power through. God sees how tired you are. God knows the weight you are carrying. God understands the tears you do not even have the energy to cry anymore. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest does not mean everything suddenly feels better. Sometimes rest is simply permission to stop pretending you are okay. Sometimes rest is letting God sit with you in the dark instead of forcing yourself toward the light. You are not failing because you are tired. You are not unfaithful because you are overwhelmed. You are human. And God is gentle with humans who are worn down.”

Isn’t it good to know that God is gentle with us when we feel worn down by life?

As a person who suffers from chronic fatigue, I know what it’s like to feel tired. You can feel too tired to do simple tasks or exercise. Sometimes sleep doesn’t fix it. But I am grateful to know that God offers rest to me and everyone who needs it. Over the years, God has shown me that He knows what I need before I know, and He already has provision in place. And when we feel too tired to lift our eyes up to Him and send up prayers to Heaven about how we feel and what we need, we can trust that God’s Holy Spirit intercedes for us, saying to Him what we cannot as He helps us when we feel weak (Romans 8:26-27).

Part of our human experience on Earth is to go through storms, trials, and tribulations. These elements and factors can make us weary. It can also obscure our view of God and really weaken our faith in Him when we cannot see Him nor sense His Presence in dark and challenging times. But the good news is that He is always here with us (Matthew 28:20). Jesus Christ is not just the light at the end of the dark tunnel; He is the light beside us and within us (1 John 4:4). Therefore, we have nothing to fear. We can rest knowing that Jesus will always be with us. He will give us what we need to take the next step (Proverbs 3:5-6), climb that mountain, take that leap of faith, and survive the storms of life. 

Next time you’re feeling worn down by life, go to God. Even if you cannot pray for a long time, simply saying “Jesus, help me” will suffice. And if you cannot even say those words silently or aloud, trust that God already heard the cry of your heart, and He will meet you in your time of need.

In closing, please listen to and reflect on these five songs (listed below).

Song of Reflection #1: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #2: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #3: “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #4: “It’s Always Been You” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it HERE.

Song of Reflection #5: “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it HERE.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
How does it feel to know that we can lean on God and trust Him to restore us when we feel worn down by life?

Further Reading:
Isaiah 26:3
Philippians 4:13
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 46:1
Hebrews 4:16