I had a brief text conversation recently with a good friend who is seven years younger than I am and is recovering from some physical problems including the flu. This is how the conversation went.
She: I’m feeling much better. I have the desire now to get things done, but I just can’t find the strength yet to do it. Getting old is not for sissies.
Me: Where is Geritol when we need it for our tired blood?
She: Do you drink it or apply it to your muscles?
Me: You drink it, but I would take a bath in the stuff if I thought it would help. Guess I’ll have to start brewing coffee again.
She: LOL
I share this with you to illustrate how frustrating it can be to feel weak and tired all the time lacking the energy needed to do the things we want or need to do. The writer of Hebrews gives me some good advice on the subject, “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” (Hebrews 12:12-13) My tired hands and weak knees can always use that kind of encouragement. I also turn to one of my favorite verses of scripture when I am feeling weak. “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.” (Isaiah 40:31)
My strength is found through my trust in the Lord and my desire to press on for Him. The enemy would love to get me to give up and continue to grow weaker and weaker as a result of inactivity, but I am encouraged by the Holy Spirit to gain strength by continuing to walk the path God has laid out for me one weary, painful step at a time. That is a much more effective way to get peppier than drinking any energy drink, Geritol or even a pot of coffee. God is so good.