I feel the need to admit something. As Pastor Knight says, “Confession is good for the soul”—right? Although confession or admission don’t usually feel good, I believe there’s truth in that statement. If you want think about what God’s Word would say about it, 1 John 1:9 is a good place to turn: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is good news for my soul, because the clean slate of God’s forgiveness and cleansing is exactly what my soul needs to start over!
So, my admission: I’m tired. I’m tired of the struggle. I’m tired of the stress and pressures. I’m tired of feeling like life hours are being traded for money, simply to try to stay “in the black.” I’m tired of feeling squeezed, the emotional pitfalls that come, and the dark clouds that stay. Most of all, though, I’m tired of my being tired. Where is my joy in this journey?
There are moments or days when the heaviness of our trials doesn’t bother me so much, and I’m grateful at those times for God’s abundant provision, because I get to experience regularly the promise made to us in Philippians 4:19—“…my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Unfortunately, I don’t always bask in gratitude as I consider the road we’re on. In fact, as I was very recently watching those dark (emotional) clouds swirling overheard, God directed me to another starting over verse—“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor.5:17). This is another promise to hold on to as well as a reminder that my life is no longer to be about worldly things anyway: now, because I was made new, all that I live for is to be about spiritual things—namely, God’s glory!
As I concern myself with who God is, what He has done, and what He requires, I can trust His competent and compassionate care for my family. And because I’m a new creature, I don’t need to worry myself with the tiresome trials or stressful struggles of this world; my spiritual eyes can look to Jesus, who will provide.
