Secret To Finding Strength When You’re Tired of Being Tired: Be Filled

“You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Now let me begin by saying I’m a terrible memorizer. Actually I’m quick on the initial memorizing but can’t retain much of anything long term. (Really, just ask my children—now what are their names?)

Yet, I’ve decided to memorize Scripture, specifically to memorize Psalm 27, a powerful “song” of truth and comfort in the midst of struggles, beginning today.  After arguing with myself that I don’t have time to do this, “to-do” won out for several reasons:

1. If I want to grow nearer God, to be filled with Him, I need to know Him. One of the best ways to know God is by reading His Word. 
2. The Bible points to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 
3. Even if I don’t memorize the entire Psalm or only remember bits and pieces of it after 2 months, at least it’s more than I would know if I didn’t memorize at all.
4. Life is not easy. My days can hold drudgery, heartache, physical pain, and difficult assignments. God’s Word brings me a sense of peace, fills me with the truth of my purpose, injects strength into my weary soul, and imparts wisdom and, yes, words of life.
5. None of my excuses hold water. Because how can I say I want to know God if I won’t take time to know His Word?
6. Really, I don’t have time not to do this.

Find Strength

I tried to do this life in my own strength. I’ve tried to live as a Sunday Christian, calling on God only on Sundays, holidays, and when my strength failed me. 

But I’m tired of living tired.

Are you feeling it too? Soul weary? Worn out? Even fearful? Tired of trying harder and ending up in the same spot?

Let’s allow the Lord to be our strength. Let’s reap the full joy and peace He offers. Let’s fill up our hearts and souls, not with more of what this world has to offer, but with more of God.

Let's fill up our hearts and souls, not with more of what this world has to offer, but with more of God. Click To Tweet

Let’s abide with and in the Lord. Let’s begin now.

My Plan

So, my plan is one verse a day, with an understanding that life happens. So Psalm 27 (14 verses) by the end of January or thereabouts. No pressure, if I need more time I’ll take it. But I know myself, if I give myself room to procrastinate, I will.

Then when Psalm 27 resides in my heart, I’ll choose another passage of Scripture. 

I plan on writing each verse on a note card (writing helps to memorize) and join them together with a key ring. (The notecard, key ring thing I learned from joining Ann Voskamp’s The Roman Project in 2013).

Join me?

I’d love to have you embrace this adventure with me!

I’ll update you periodically on my progress here and on my social media sites.

Let’s fill ourselves with the words of life, and let’s encourage each other through the comments on my posts or here on my Facebook page. 

Reading and memorizing Scripture won’t guarantee an easy, carefree life, one without pain and struggles; but it will provide wisdom for the journey, a light for our path, and a reminder of  the victory over it all we have in Christ Jesus. 

And in that truth, we will find our strength, joy, and peace for this life. 

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you….Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:10-11, 105 

This season of memorizing Scripture was indeed a blessing, filling me up in many ways. Today I continue to memorize in different ways, mostly through dedicated Bible study and daily time in the Word. Not quite so much with memorization as the end goal but soul nourishing just the same. 

Reflections: What benefits have you found from Scripture memorization? What Scripture passage would you recommend I memorize next?

Psalm 27, HCSB version

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?