Feeling drained

In this reflection, Albert Bogle writes about feeling drained.


Listen to my heartache.

When I feel drained and have nothing to say and nothing to give. When there is nothing I want; because I’ve lost all that meant anything to me. Shouldn’t I give up? Do I need to keep waiting, perhaps start looking, for the promised peace?

As day follows night, so hope will return I’m told.

How can this be I ask myself? Then within me a voice whispers “Because the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases”. God’s love for you doesn’t come to an end when your love for Him is being challenged. He will renew you often with the simple things. The smile of a neighbour, the smell of a favourite meal, the light shining through a glass of wine, the touch of a hand, the beauty of a flower, the faithfulness of a friend. Take time says the writer of Lamentations to be alone! To wait wait! And I reply, I’ll keep on waiting, for surely, I will encounter,‘the peace of God which passes all our understanding’.


God of the broken hearted

Father of all

Saviour of the world

Friend of the desolate

Draw near to me

For I do not know how to draw close to you

So many emotions stir within me

Sadness and grief

Threaten to overwhelm me.

Yet, courage and loyalty,

Inspired by those I love

strengthen me to stand tall.


Lord, to be bereaved,

means to be emptied of everything;

stripped bear,

vulnerable

I’m wasting away inside - crumbling.

Hiding from friends and family.

Wishing the world as I know it would come to an end


Come Holy Spirit of God

Bind up the broken hearted

Strengthen the weary

Give new courage to those who are failing

Enable us all to become people waiting,

With expectation

For hope will return

Great is your faithfulness.


So I wait in hope for deliverance.


Albert Bogle


#exhausted #fatigue #low #despondent #dispirited #encouragement

Readings

  • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

    Matthew 11:28-29
    NIV
  • Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.
    They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
    I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

    Lamentations 3: 22-24
    NIV
  • I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

    Jeremiah 31: 25
    NIV

Prayers

  • Draw near

    God of the broken hearted

    Father of all

    Saviour of the world

    Friend of the desolate

    Draw near to me

  • Come Holy Spirit

    Come Holy Spirit of God

    Bind up the broken-hearted

    Strengthen the weary

    Give new courage to those who are failing

    Enable us all to become people waiting,

    With expectation

    For hope will return

    Great is your faithfulness.

Denial

​One of the early stages in bereavement is the strange feeling of denial that seems to haunt many of us. How are you feeling a friend asks ? You... read more

Restlessness

​I’ve talked to hundreds of bereaved people in my life, I guess it’s my job as a pastor. You know its a great privilege to be brought into a... read more

Pain and Guilt

​There is no real order to all these feelings I’m talking about. They come and go and stay and then depart, Only to return another day. Then the... read more

Anger

​Another stage of grief is anger. You should be aware of this. Anger manifests itself in different ways. It’s not always expressed through... read more