“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and stregthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3
It is humbling and marvelous to realize that God listens to me, answers me, and gives me strength when I ask. Some days my soul is weary. It feels like my heart is heavy in my chest and my bones ache, lacking energy. When my soul is weary, I struggle to be a bright light for the Lord like I should be and want to be. I want a nap! My body craves rest, and it can help to an extent, but it cannot fully give strength to my soul. Rest is not the cure-all answer when we find ourselves tired in our souls. We need our souls to be strengthened. The cure for a weary soul is to lean on the Lord.
Someone recently asked me what I mean when I use that phrase: to lean on the Lord. Allow me to share my mental picture. Think of a time you’ve stood in a long line. Perhaps at the local grocery store, a retail store, or a theme park. I think of standing in line at a rode to pick up tickets from the will-call window. There is something about standing in a long line that saps the energy right out of me. Standing there, waiting my turn, thinking how lovely it would be if there was a wall nearby against which I could lean. It could take some of the weight off my tired feet and aching back. It could help me have the energy and strength to see the activity through to completion. That’s what leaning on the Lord is for a Christian. In my mind’s eye, He is the wall, standing with me. I get to lean on Him. I get to let Him carry some of my weight. As a result, He gives me the strength I need to carry on in life. When we choose to lean on Christ, He shares His strength with us.
