Encouragement for Today
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July 22, 2025 When You Feel Worn Out Lee en español |
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
I felt so tired and empty. Ministry had worn me out.
We’re all ministering to someone: toddlers, teens, parents, friends, co-workers … The list goes on. On this day, I was traveling to teach women in another state, wondering if I had anything left to give.
Have you ever felt like you were scraping the bottom of the emotional bucket? Wondering if you could go on, if God was finished with you, if your best days were behind you?
As I fumbled my way into the hotel room, taunting whispers filled my head: You don’t have anything left. You’re all used up. Just give up and go home.
Going to the sink to splash cold water on my face, I noticed a tattered, used-to-be-white washcloth folded neatly on the counter. “Like me, even the washcloth is worn out,” I sighed. But propped beside this threadbare cloth was a note from “The Rag”:
I’m nothing but a rag — old, tattered, and torn.
Wait!
I can still be put to work.
I can still be used to shine your shoes, remove your makeup, or wipe your car.
I’m worn but clean, ready to be used in place of a fluffy white towel.
When I’m grimy and beyond your use, throw me on the floor to be cleaned and reused.
Thank you,
The Rag
Immediately I thought of all the men and women in the Bible who felt worn out at one time or another ... even Jesus. In His humanity, He got tired too (John 4:6).
I was reminded that the prophet Isaiah wrote about God, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31, NIV).
Yes, we may feel temporarily tired and weary! We may need to take a break and rest like Elijah did, like David did, like Jesus did. But even in our weariest moments, God will ultimately give us the strength to keep moving forward. No matter how physically worn, emotionally wrung out, or spiritually tattered and torn you feel, God has a purpose and a plan for your life. And He is not finished yet!
With a smile on my face, I thanked God for using The Rag to remind me that even when I feel worn out and used up, He still has work for me to do. He is right there to lift me, fill me up, and give me strength. And He can and will do the same for you.
Lord, no matter how tired I become as I minister to the people in my life, help me remember to hope in You, rest in You, and find my strength to carry on in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Have you been tricked into believing that being constantly overwhelmed is just part of life? You push through, keep going, and carry the weight like it’s your job — but deep down, you're exhausted. “5 Truths You Need When You're Worn Down and Worn Out” is a free resource to help you identify the lies that keep you stuck in burnout and replace them with biblical Truth that actually brings peace. You don’t have to keep living at this pace. Download your free copy today, and take the first step toward rest.
If you’re a momma who needs some daily encouragement, or if you know a momma who does, Sharon’s 90-day devotional Momma Moments with God is just what the doctor ordered! This hardcover gift book invites us to pause and allow God to fill us up, even on our toughest days.
ENGAGE
Need a little help praying for the children or grandchildren in your life? Click here for a free resource developed just for Encouragement for Today readers: “Praying Scripture for Your Children from Head to Toe.” From their mind and what they think about all the way down to their feet and the path they take, this is a resource to cover your children in 17 areas with scriptural prayer.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 27:14, “I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with GOD” (MSG).
What other psalms or scriptures do you know that tell us about where to go when we’re tired and feel like quitting? Start with the verses in today’s devotion, and then consider Psalm 62:5 and Jeremiah 31:25 too.
What is something that helps you feel reenergized and refreshed when you feel worn out? Click here to leave a comment, and let’s share.
© 2025 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org