Three little thoughts!

                                  "Stand fast in the Lord" (Phil.4:1)--Part II
        "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."" (I Cor.16:13)
         As I shared the other day, God used this verse, and several others  like it, to greatly encourage my weary heart. Boy, there is nothing like God's Word, and there is no better way to begin your day than a dose of His supernatural, attitude-altering, strength-giving Word! But I did want to share three very brief, very simple thoughts that these verses and weariness brought to mind. 
         And here these three are: when you're weary, allow it to lead you to God's Word, look up in prayer, and lean in the Lord. (I told you they were simple!  But sometimes when we're struggling--especially with exhaustion or weariness--we need something really simple to remind and preach to ourselves.)  Just briefly--
         First, lead you to God's Word.  There's nothing more reviving to our hearts and minds than God's Word. How often have I opened His Word out of habit or even duty, and yet God, in His grace, speaks to and encourages me in a personal way.  Or He gives His wisdom, His strength, His conviction, His forgiveness, His grace through something in His Word. Never ever underestimate the power of God's Word.
        Second, look up in prayer. Again, duh, you're thinking. But seriously, how often do we simply fail to pray!  We figure a little dose of chocolate will revive us, or some online shopping, or some mindless entertainment, but we fail first to pray!  Corrie ten Boom always said, "Is prayer was steering wheel or your spare tire?"  Make it your steering wheel--go to God and tell Him your problems, share your exhaustion, ask for the help and provision only He can give.
       Third, lean in to the Lord.  In other words, depend on Him!  That's the part of the verse I love--stand fast in the faith, stand fast in the Lord!  In our faith in Him. In HIM!  He has all the power and provision and grace and hope and joy and love and strength we will ever need. So lean in and depend upon Him.
        That's it--told you it was short and simple!  But remember it the next time weariness hits--let it lead you to God's Word, look up in prayer, and lean in to the Lord in dependence. He's there and He's able!
        To God be the glory.