Read These 10 Verses When You Are Exhausted
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At times, we reach our limits. In The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall, one of the characters – Jeffrey – reaches his breaking point after learning the identity of his father. Skye Penderwick finds him on a small island, not wanting to talk as he sits in anger and exhaustion. Instead of prodding him to explain or urging him to cheer up, she waits. Later, her sister Jane brings a bag stuffed with food, including a chocolate pie. Skye bravely takes the bag to her friend, who wonders what’s inside. In response to his question, she simply says, “Nourishment … Jane and Mercedes made the sandwiches, and Batty sent your clarinet, and Aunt Claire sent love” (Yearling, 2011, p. 242). They eat and, slowly, Skye sees the color return to Jeffrey’s face.
This example from a beloved children’s classic reflects how the Lord often deals with us in our tiredness. He did not rebuke Elijah when the prophet fled in desperation and sat under a broom tree, requesting to die. Neither did God urge him to merely have “more faith.” The Lord instead provided Elijah with food and time to rest (1 Kings 19:3-7). Only then was the prophet able to journey to the mountain of the Lord and be reminded that he was not alone in his devotion to God (1 Kings 19:18).
What we often need during periods of exhaustion is nourishment, both physical and spiritual. For we were not designed to push through any and every circumstance as if we were machines. Humans are finite, limited creatures; we need rest and replenishment, including time to feast on the Word of God (Matthew 4:4).
So, let us take a nap or prepare a favorite meal, and then pull out our Bibles to find nourishment whenever we reach our breaking point.
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1. Genesis 2:3
“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Too often, in our culture of side-hustles and nonstop news, we equate busyness with worth. If we cease our activities, we assume we are lazy and should be doing more. Time is money. In its very essence, then, rest appears unproductive and is usually seen as something preserved for the privileged who can afford to waste their hours.
When we look in Scripture, though, we find that God rested. The great Creator who carved mountains and set the stars in place took time to cease from His labor. It was not below Him to do so, neither was it a lofty act reserved for Him alone. In fact, God blessed the day of rest and ingrained a rhythm of work and rest into all creation (Exodus 20:9-11). The Lord’s choice to rest is meant to give us a model to imitate.
So, when we are exhausted, we should remember that our God rested after creating all things. Society and schedules may make it hard for us to take time to cease from our labor, but when we choose to engage in a form of Sabbath, even if only for a few hours during a day of the week, we are acting in faith, showing the world that our lives do not depend on us alone. We are upheld and sustained by the Creator and Savior (Colossians 1:16-17).
2. Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, LORD, have me dwell in safety.”
David was often surrounded by those who wished to harm him. Whether it was king Saul or Absalom, there were many who longed to see David killed. Yet this shepherd-king knew that the Lord was with him and that he had been set apart as a faithful servant to God. The Lord would hear him when he called (Psalm 4:3). Thus, David could sleep in peace, trusting that God would be his refuge.
Believers can also experience this sense of safety despite the problems pressing in around them. This does not mean the difficult circumstances will disappear or that we will instantly feel relieved of the pressure. However, the knowledge that the Lord is with us and has set us apart as His servants should remind us that our lives are not our own. Our doings are sovereignly watched by the Lord God, who sees every situation (Psalm 121:8). In Him we can rest during times of distress.
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3. Psalm 62:5
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Apps and devices remind us of important appointments. Their purpose is to give us a forewarning so we can make room in our schedules and show up on time.
Sometimes in the Christian life, we also need reminders. But we don’t need special technology; the Bible shows individuals prompting themselves to remember and refocus, like the psalmists who spoke to their souls. They would urge themselves to hope in the Lord, as well as ask questions (see Psalm 42:5 and 43:5). In Psalm 62, David reminds his soul to rest in God.
We also can benefit from this holy habit of preaching to ourselves, encouraging our souls to turn back to the One who created us. There will be situations in which we struggle to find hope, like David’s fear of those surrounding him. But the Lord remains our fortress in times of distress (Psalm 62:1-2). He can give us peace amid the turmoil and help us rest.
4. Isaiah 40:31
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
We often read this verse and think of it as a promise for the future. In eternity, we think, we will run and not get tired, but today we must keep dealing with the weariness. Yet, this way of thinking neglects that the everlasting God is the One who bestows us with renewed strength. For unlike us, the Lord does not grow tired (Isaiah 40:28). Humans are like grass and flowers in that our lives are short, while God is eternal. If anyone can help us when we are exhausted, it is the Lord.
We might not be able to run marathons nonstop or trek endless mountains, but we will find fresh hope and strength when we trust in the living Lord. It is when we come to the end of ourselves that we discover the futility of putting our faith in our own ability. God is the source of our strength as He is the Uplifter of the weak (Isaiah 40:29). May we rest on this promise knowing that we are enlivened by the Lord who created both the starry hosts and the earth.
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5. Habakkuk 3:19
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Habakkuk was no stranger to hopeless weariness. He saw terrible injustice around him and questioned why God allowed such evil. To the prophet, it seemed as if he kept calling out for help, but the Lord did not answer (Habakkuk 1:2, 12-13). God’s goodness was questioned.
In the most famous part of this poetically written book, Habakkuk describes the devastation he experienced – –of the loss of crops, infertile fields, and lack of livestock. The weariness is palpable as the prophet describes the barrenness of the situation. But even amid such tragedy, he could rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Why? Because the Lord is the Savior, and He was Habakkuk’s strength, just as He is ours. We can climb the rockiest terrain of life and still stand because of God’s presence with us.
6. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus’ call to come to Him is focused on discipleship. We are invited to lay down our striving to earn our salvation and instead find rest in Christ, who gives us a new way: a relationship. No longer is it about what we do alone; the Christian life is about walking with Jesus, taking on His yoke that is easy and light.
But finding rest in Christ is something we can do repeatedly. He knows what it is like to experience exhaustion and to feel overwhelmed –– for Jesus is fully God and fully human. Whatever we face in life, we can trust that our Lord empathizes with us (Hebrews 4:15). He calls us to come to Him and rest from our burdens. This is a promise we can grasp whenever we are tired.
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7. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Paul received a “thorn in his flesh,” which was given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. Scholars question what this thorn is, whether it was an illness or the apostle’s eyesight. Regardless, Paul was reminded that his weakness could bring glory to Christ. How different his struggles looked from this perspective! He could now see a purpose in what he experienced, even going as far to say he could delight in his weaknesses for that is when Jesus’ strength was exemplified in him (2 Corinthians 12:10).
When we are weary, we do not often find joy in our tiredness for we are keenly aware of weakness as finite human beings. Yet that is the very place in which our Lord can be glorified. Acknowledging our inability to carry ourselves through hardships, or merely through a long day, enables us to recognize our need for Christ’s strength. And when we rely on Him, we bring glory to our Savior.
The next time we feel weak in our exhaustion, may we exult in the strength of Jesus.
8. Hebrews 4:9
“There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”
During the time of Moses, when the Israelites disobeyed God and failed to trust Him, Israel was forced to wander the wilderness for forty years (see Hebrews 3:16-19). They were unable to enter the land of promise because of their unbelief. Even during the time of Joshua when Israel did cross the Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land, they did not receive their full inheritance (Hebrews 4:8).
Today, people can enter God’s rest by trusting in His Son for salvation. Jesus has given us the promise of everlasting rest. However, this Sabbath rest, as Scripture refers to it, is still to come. Believers have the gift of salvation, an eternal life which starts the moment we place our faith in Christ. But complete rest from all our suffering and trials will only occur in eternity. Then, we will receive our inheritance, the consummation of our faith.
For Christians, this is a wonderful promise. Even if we continue to struggle with fatigue and see no end to our struggles, we can know that there is a greater day of rest coming. In eternity, we will never tire or grow weary; we will live active and joyous lives in communion with our Lord.
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9. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
At times, our exhaustion is more emotional or mental rather than physical. We wear ourselves out by fretting about loved ones, our job, or critical issues. The news that fills our feed each day can also induce anxiety. Too often, we move about our days with heavy burdens on our hearts.
This is why God invites us to come to Him –– to cast our worries and fears on the One who is greater than all. He cares about our lives and want us to come to Him whenever we feel overwhelmed, for the Christian life is about having a relationship with the Lord (John 17:3). We can talk to Him and submit our requests to Him, trusting that His peace will guard us (Philippians 4:6-7).
God already knows about those times we awake in the night with racing thoughts about the future, or when we are wearied by circumstances. He desires that we turn to Him as a child would to a parent when afraid. Our problems are best faced in the context of our friendship with Christ.
10. Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Remember the Sabbath rest that was mentioned in Hebrews? Well, we receive a greater picture of what this will look like in John’s vision, recorded in Revelation. Though tragedies and hardships will occur, including the persecution of believers, the future glory that awaits Christians far overshadows our present sufferings (Romans 8:18). Our eternal home will be with the living God and He will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3).
No more will pain or sorrow mark our days –– weariness will be a dim memory. Instead of dealing with worries, we will experience the encouragement of talking face-to-face with our God. Instead of spending each minute in an anxious hurry to meet deadlines, creative flourishing will define our days. Instead of pining for rest, our faith will be made sight. The Lord God will again dwell with humankind; He will be our joy and delight.
Even when we are exhausted, we can rest in the promise of a new heaven and new earth and live as people of hope (2 Peter 3:11-13).
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