Jacque Watkins

finding grace through the mud

For When I’m Tired and Weary of Fighting this Relentless River

by

Photo credit: jamesjustin, Flickr creative commons

I’ve been memorizing Romans 8 these past  few weeks with this wonderful community. And the thing about memorizing is that I end up meditating on the words all week long…the words ever before me to soak in to this thick skull of mine. I’ve been learning all about the flesh versus the spirit…death versus life and peace. And while I know this is the truth I must admit I am tired.

Tired of dying to my flesh.

Tired of choosing right when it is easier to do wrong.

Tired of swimming upstream against the flow of my flesh—a flow that seems like a relentless river most days.

It is so much easier…

Easier to have a short fuse with the kids than to patiently correct and train them.

Easier to be unkind when someone says something rude and thoughtless, than to overlook and cover the wrong.

Easier to think my way is the best way, instead of considering others better than myself.

Easier to worry and try in my own strength, instead of praying and presenting my requests to God.

And what seems to be the easiest choice in my flesh never brings life or peace.

It is true, I’m weary and tired of choosing what is right. Tired of dying to my flesh. But He gives me His Spirit and provides me with His strength. And it is the Spirit of life that brings the peace my heart longs for. And it is out of profound gratitude and thanks to Him, because of all He has done for me—and all He has promised to do IN me, that I choose to die so that I might live.

Romans 8:6 (ESV)
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

 

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

 

May we lean on Him, set our minds on the Spirit, and feel our weariness lifting, is my prayer.

What are you feeling tired or weary about today? What helps you?

 

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Tired…

 

  

Related posts:

Growing Takes Time To Grow is in the Dying Because Our Roots Are Established in the Dark Secret Places
<center><a href='http://www.audibletrack.com/click.track?CID=102175&AFID=317075&ADID=1213643&SID='><img src='http://www.audibletrack.com/impression.track?CID=102175&AFID=317075&ADID=1213643&SID=' border='0' /></a></center>

Comments

  1. Kerri says

    Hi there! Stopping in from Five Minute Fridays…. Loved your post. Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. SO much packed in one chapter!
    Kerri

  3. Martha Brady says

    choosing life and peace! what a great choice:) yes, you’re going upstream, but when you think about the direction of the stream, aren’t you glad? life and peace vs. death and anguish/stress/fear? i guess it is our perspective, isn’t it:) guess we’ll have to choose life and peace. thanks for the reminder. nice to see you today.

  9. Suzanne McClendon says

    I am so glad that I stopped by to read your post. It makes a lot of sense. I have been praying, lots, about a particular problem that is pestering my life right now. What is one supposed to do when it seems like the prayers are going nowhere, or the answer is always “NO!”? How would it not be in His will for someone to have peace, to know who they can trust, who it is safe to give fully to (as far as humans go)? I am really struggling here and am not sure even how to pray anymore.
    I am here from Five Minute Friday. I hope that you have a great weekend and a very Merry Christmas.

  11. Anonymous says

    Oh yes…I know all too well that “tired of” feeling in the learning, the growing, the process…appreciate the realness that you share here….

  12. Barbie says

    I was just telling my husband last night how tired I am — tired of working, tired of being a mom, tired of trying to do it all right, tired of failing. I am leaning on His strength today! Great post!

  13. Katie Orr says

    I hear you. It is interesting—the harder things become the more I realize that my efforts to “be in the Spirit” or set my mind on the Spirit are actually my attempts IN THE FLESH. Which is why it is wearisome. Oh, how I get it all backwards so, so often.

  14. Anonymous says

    I love your honesty! It is much easier to allow the flesh to lead. The flow of the stream simply takes you. There isn’t a fight or struggle. I’m so thankful HE provides the supernatural strength to continue pressing upstream!

    I appreciate your thoughts!

  16. Jacque Watkins says

    May you experience His peace…peace that passes ALL understanding…as you are not anxious, but instead, talking to God and sharing your heart with Him, all the while giving thanks to Him, even for those things that seem hard. And He promises to send His peace that will guard your heart and mind. Philippians 4:4-6 So glad you stopped by!