“Come close to God and He will come close to you.” James 4:8

It had been a rough week around our house. My husband was out-of-town for work. My kids seemed to be more irritable, uncooperative and disrespectful than usual. I was feeling overwhelmed and alone.

At times like these, I often expect God to ride in on a white horse and whisk me away from my troubles. I stew in my self-pity and anger, wondering why He hasn’t shown up. But He knows that’s not what I really need. So He waits.

And this is exactly where the enemy wants me. He whispers lies that pull me farther from God.

This verse in James is part of a larger passage about where the passion of our hearts lie. He says that lives are full of strife because of the sinful desires within us. When second things become first place in our hearts, a chasm grows between us and God. It is He alone who fulfills our deepest longings but too often we are distracted by what the world offers instead. The lies of the enemy shout louder than the whispers of the Spirit.

Yet there is hope. James says in verse 6 that it is God’s grace that helps us to stand against evil. When we humble ourselves, acknowledge we can’t live without Him, that He is our first thing, and turn to Him, we find Him standing there, arms open wide.

He’s always been there, ready and waiting. He knows that nothing else but He alone can calm our hearts and give us the peace we’ve long desired. It was He who created that longing in each of us. And it is His grace that enables us to resist evil desires and turn to Him instead.

Do you know He’s waiting for you?

For further reading: James 4:1-10, Psalm 86

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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. Isaiah 40:28-31

Some days my head hits the pillow hard. I lay there thinking “I can’t do this another day.” I’m not only physically tired, but emotionally and mentally as well. Between refereeing conflicts between siblings, homeschool, church responsibilities and the chores, I am spent. Yet, exhausted as I am, my mind runs long into the night. I think about the projects I promised the church I would complete. I remind myself of countless things I need to do for homeschool the next day. I think about people I need to call but haven’t.

Life is hard and it’s tiring. As moms, we are known to give and give and give some more. We juggle many hats and many responsibilities. Children use up all our patience and energy. Our minds are usually full of to-do lists, burdens and worries, if-onlys, and I-need-to’s.

Even a juggler can’t juggle forever. Eventually we wear out and get burned out.

It is such a comfort to know that God never grows weary. He never needs rest. He’s never burdened. And there’s no problem too big for Him.

I also take great comfort in knowing that He is faithful and His love is everlasting. He promised Israel in Isaiah 40 that He would give strength to the weary. He knew how much we labor under sin. He knew we needed rescue from our burdens. He sent His Son who carried the greatest burden for us so we wouldn’t have to.

This same Son knows what it is to be tired, to experience sorrow, and what trials and challenges come with this life. He took on skin like ours and shared in our sufferings. What great hope this brings!

This passage reminds us that our hope indeed is in the Lord. When we hope in Him and believe His promises, our strength is renewed.

Feeling burned out? Know that your Savior carried that same burden to the cross. Know that He wants to strengthen you even today through the power of the gospel of grace. He has taken our burdens and given us wings to soar. He did so that day on the cross over 2,000 years ago and He continues to do so this very day as well.

May this be your confidence and hope.

For further reading: Jeremiah 31:3, Psalm 23, Exodus 15:2, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

A brain fuzzy from lack of sleep, I try to handle a sibling conflict. Impatient, I speak harshly. I enforce unnecessary consequences. Later, I realize I had made matters worse. I wasn’t Christ-like in my interactions with my children. Instead of pointing them toward Christ, my behavior turned them away.

Some days, my failures as a mother point an accusing finger straight at my soul. It tells me I am no good and a failure as a Christ-follower.

Do you have days where you feel like you’ve failed in your walk with Christ?

Scripture challenges those lies that I am a failure. Instead, it tells me that while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. (Romans 5:8) When I stumble in my walk, I remind myself that he bore those very sins on the cross. His grace covers me each time I fall.

Not only that, the Bible tells me that the path to holiness has already been paved. The righteous life Jesus lived is given to me. I just need to walk in it. He will complete the good work he started. Christ paid a high price for me, He will not allow me to fail.

I rest in that promise and it strengthens me.

On those days where I stumble in my flesh, He pulls me back up so that I may stand on the road of grace. And I remember anew the Love that died for me. It was His grace that paid for me, His grace that gives me His righteousness and His grace that helps me to continue my walk with Him.

Do you sense His grace today?

For further reading: Hebrews 4:16, 2 Peter 1:2, Romans 5:10

Copyright © 2011 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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