I will refresh the weary* and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25.
And let us not grow weary** while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

*Hebrew "ayeph": faint, exhausted, weary
**Greek "ekkakeo": to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted

Ministering to people causes us to expend energy from our body, our soul and our spirit. If we do not monitor ourselves we end up giving out more than we take in and sooner or later something gives. Paul's exhortation to "not grow weary” is a warning that weariness can subtly change our heart and cause unwelcome attitudes to creep in. This can cause discouragement to take root and eventually lead to bitterness, which will defile us first and then others.

As I studied weariness, I discovered that there are over 13 different words used in scripture that have been translated "weary". The meanings vary from being tired and fatigued, to being grieved and even carries, in one instance the connotation of loathing (hating the very life God has given (Genesis 27:46 NKJV, Proverbs 3:11 KJV)

We can be fatigued in our bodies. I must confess that this is a difficult area for me. My mentor in ministry was a woman who just kept on going no matter what. She suffered from open ulcers on her leg--which often itched, and we could tell were extremely painful. She simply prayed and kept going. She passed away I believe, just short of her 70th birthday--I wonder if she would have kept going if she would have learned to take care of her body differently. Jesus, we see in John 4:6, sat down by the well and rested when he grew weary.

I personally need to hear that word. If this is an area where you struggle, please hear this word. Sit down when you grow weary and do something about it. Your husbands, your children, your ministry need to have you rested and strong. Jesus exhorts us to take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him, for His burden is light and His yoke is easy. Driving ourselves does not bring glory to the Lord. There is freedom to rest in God and in our beds. I must confess that I am learning to practice what I preach in this area. During our recent trip to England I found myself on the floor of a wonderful Christian doctors' kitchen, having fainted during dinner! How embarrassing and disturbing it was for them and for Darryl. God was so very gracious as they took wonderful care of me. I knew I was running on push energy--rather than my normal strength, but I figured I had enough reserve to last me until we got back to the States. I mis-read my fuel gauge and ran out. I was exhausted and hadn't fully admitted it to anyone. Acts 3:19, Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. I had to confess that I hadn't been obedient to the Lord's prompting to take vitamins on our two month tour (well, I did take the vitamins on the tour, just didn't take them)--and take the time to rest when we returned. Until we can confess our weariness to the Lord, which means we must first admit it to ourselves; we shall not be in the position to fully receive his refreshing. Honesty is truth, and truth sets us free, which lightens our load. Take the time to clear the slate of any unconfessed attitude, sin or deed.

We can become weary in our soul. This can open a seed for resentment to grow. Weary of dealing with people, weary of hearing their problems, weary of the time it takes to pray with them etc. We must take the time to nurture our own soul. Jesus took quiet, private time to be alone. I believe His walks and prayer time with the Father nurtured His soul as well as His Spirit. His fellowship with the disciples, with friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus were all refreshing to Him. Assembling with strong Christians can refresh our souls as well as our spirits. When we begin to notice our spirit growing weary, we must take whatever time we need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Worship, praise, reading the Word, prayer--simply sitting in His presence are sources of spiritual refreshing that we need to take advantage of.

One definition of refresh comes from the Greek word "anapauo" which means to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect their strength. To give rest, to give one's self rest, take rest, to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation. We, as ministry leaders, must give others permission to take the rest they need. We need to grow in our faith level to include God's grace to give people permission "to cease from movement or labor in order to recover and collect their strength". We do this first by modeling rest. I was not a good example--but I am determined to do better by God's grace. (1 Cor 16:18; 2 Cor 7:13; Philemon 7).

In 2 Timothy 1:16 Paul mentions the blessing of the household of Onesphorus "for he often refreshed me". That word brings the connotation of to cool again, to cool off, to help recover from the effects of heat. Throughout the New Testament we find saints refreshing saints, simply by gathering together. As leaders, pray God would make you a refreshment to those you minister to.

We can refresh weary souls and spirits by prayer, a kindly word spoken in due season, a word of faith during a trying time--or simply a smile and a hug. But remember, in order to be refreshing, we must first be partakers of that refreshing.

One other Greek word is connected with refreshing. This is a word that applies to married couples. It is the word "sunapauomai". It means to take rest together, to sleep together with, to lie with (of a husband and wife). Taking the time to come together as husband and wife and enjoy the gift God has given will bring refreshment to both partners. This is a good thing.

Daughters of the Lord, God desires to "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint!" Be an example of the believer in this area--after all we are in it for the long haul.

Written by: Martha Rodman