Are you weary? Feeling physically and emotionally drained? It’s been a hard couple of years and many of us are feeling the stress of not only the current events in the world, but our daily life stressors as well. Some days, we may even tell God how much we feel it all taking a toll on us mentally and physically.
Subscribe to the Great American Pure Flix Insider: Where Faith and Entertainment Connect
But there’s good news! God understands weariness, emotional exhaustion and even spiritual fatigue. He’s made a way for you to be refreshed and renewed. He has just what we need in times of refreshing. Spring is a good reminder that all things can be made new in Him – and that includes you!
In the Great American Pure Flix exclusive movie, "The Blind," about Duck Commander Phil Robertson's life and transformation, tells the story about how Phil realized he had to find the end of himself in order to find the beginning of God. His family's preacher tells him that in the moments when we feel like we're the only soul in the world, we realize that with Jesus, we are never alone. Watch "The Blind" only on Great American Pure Flix starting March 22.
The season of spring and Easter is the perfect time to find a new beginning in the Lord our God. We can ask Him at any time to be with us when we feel fatigued and alone and refresh our souls.
What Does The Bible Say About Being Refreshed?
The world may prescribe a vacation to ease your weariness, but the Bible presents a better way to experience times of refreshing. It all begins with His presence.
"Repent then, and turn to God so that our sins may be wiped out; that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...” – Acts 3:19 (NIV)
The apostle Peter spoke these words to God’s people after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Within the crowd were probably some of the very same people who had yelled, “Crucify Him!” when Jesus was brought before Pilate and then condemned to the cross. They had rejected their Messiah, sent from God to relieve their distress and save them from the weightiness of sin. They were weary under the oppression of Roman rule and the burden of fulfilling the religious law.
As we know, during the crucifixion, Jesus uttered the words "forgive them for they know not what they are doing (Luke 23:34 NIV). He gives each and every one of us that same grace as well. As we see in "The Blind," Phil Robertson repented for his heavy drinking and was baptised. His sins were forgiven as he was baptised and he was born again. Phil's story shows that no matter how big or intense our sins are, God will forgive it all when we ask for His forgiveness.
God offers refreshing and renewal. All the people the apostle Peter was talking to in the book of Acts had to do to receive was to repent – to turn from their ways and embrace Jesus Christ as Lord. The act of repentance provided the promise of new life. A fresh start. A rebirth.
Renewing Strength – God’s Answer for Physical Fatigue
You may feel physically depleted simply from the busyness of life. The hurdles you jump every day to get the kids to school, clock in on time at work, manage a household or oversee a new entrepreneurial venture can be exhausting.
In the Great American Original movie, "Just in Time," Hannah is a busy wife and business owner. Caught up in her work and pursuit of being a mother, she misses her husband's need to connect with each other. He is physically exhausted from the life Hannah continues to pursue. After time apart, they both realize their marriage hasn't been built on the right foundation: rooted in God. They renew their vows in hopes to reconnect and refresh their marriage with God guiding their way.
Be encouraged and refreshed with this amazing Bible verse from Isaiah:
“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 40:30-31 (NIV)
Imagine God’s strength filling your right now! It all begins with where you place your hope. If you look to the Lord, there’s a promise for your physical strength. He will renew. He will refresh. God will help you soar!
Renewing Your Mind – God’s Answer for Mental Exhaustion
There are times when our physical exhaustion comes from a place of mental exhaustion. The good news is, God’s refreshing covers your mind as well as your physical being.
Phil Robertson's physcial exhaustion turned into emotional turmoil and dependence on alcohol in "The Blind." The pressure to provide for his family became unbearable and, at the encouragement of his friends, he turned to drink in order to relieve his stress. At his lowest point, he realized he could no longer try and do it on his own, but instead realized that he needed God's everlasting strength and grace to be the man his family needed him to be.
These times of refreshing scripture can be just what you need:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2 (NIV)
When we turn from the patterns of the world which often breed worry, fear and doubt, and instead look to God and the truths in His word, renewal happens. Transformation happens. Just like the trees bud and blossom in spring, our minds come alive to God’s ways.
In "The Blind," Phil did this by turning away from the "patterns of the world" that his friends and former coworkers pressured him into, which including drinking and gambling away all his money. He was transformed by the strength, courage and love God showed him through his wife, sister and their preacher.
Consider this Bible verse:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... be thankful... Let the message of Christ dwell among your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit...” – Colossians 3:15-16 (NIV)
God’s way of living is so much different than the norm of the world! Spending time in God’s word, singing songs of thankfulness, worship and praise can do wonders for our mental and physical exhaustion. Worries cease when we commit our minds to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
READ ALSO: 12 Christian Movies that Will Renew Your Faith
Renewing Your Heart – God’s Answer for Spiritual Fatigue
Too often, we try to carry our burdens on our own when God has called us to lay them down at the foot of the cross. Jesus says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Life being easy? It sounds almost incredible, but that’s what Jesus offers us when we are willing to lay our burdens at His feet and learn from Him. If your spirit man is weary, join the psalmist in asking the Lord for renewal.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Throughout the Bible, God offers pictures of the refreshing that comes from His presence. If you feel weary or downtrodden, turn to God. Lift your eyes to the One who can strengthen you. Let the beauty of spring remind you of God’s promised renewal for your life.
This spring, explore powerful films and stories that will help you cultivate and renew your faith by watching them on Great American Pure Flix. Not a member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial.
COMMENTS