Rest

It's common to think when we become discouraged about something that we think it's a spiritual problem and that we must be far from God.  'If I just recommit.....!'

In fact, the real problem may well be that we are just burned out, and need a rest...to go to bed, relax, have time off.

Fatigue is a major discouragement.  If we work ourselves to the bone, the enthusiasm dies.  I know from working the last few years in Hamilton that this is true.  I had lost the passion of working.  I was exhausted working 6 days a week, doing anywhere between 80-100 hours a week.  At one point I totally burned out, and quite frankly was clinically depressed.  Thankfully, someone noticed, and helped me pluck the courage up to admit to my manager that this was the case, and I was given time off to recover.  It doesn't have to be as dramatic as this, it could just be that sometimes we need to go to bed.  Have you notice how much better as less drastic things seem in the morning after having rested?

Even God rested - after making the Earth and everything in it, He rested.

Fatigue tends to occur midway through something.  At first we are all enthusiastic and energised and work at things with all our heart.  But then the newness wears off, it gets boring and the same day in day out, we get into a rut.  When tiredness creeps in, faith will walk out.

Psalm 23:2-3
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.

I like the Message version of the last bit: 'True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.'

Matthew 11:28-30
'Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.