Before I started today’s workout, tears of soul-deep fatigue fell. As this training block ends—body, mind, and soul—I’m tired. As powerlifters, we train according to the principle of progressive overload. Simply put, my lifts get heavier each week over the course of a four-week period. I compete in 12 days and will get a planned rest period beforehand. However, handling heavy lifting under fatigue is an integral part of competition training.
Fatigue
A profound sense of physical weariness is not new to me, and I am grateful that Jesus understands weariness.
…Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. John 4:6 NLT
He walked everywhere He went, and everywhere He went, there was someone to heal, teach, or care for in some way. Human bodies were designed to need rest to relieve weariness. To ease His weariness, He sat down.
Soul-Deep Fatigue
I was alone when the fatigue-laced tears bubbled up from the depths of my soul. As I raised the safety bars on the squat rack, I asked God for protection and prayed over the equipment. Right after I put on my knee sleeves, a guy walked in! He’s someone I trust, and I immediately felt energized by his presence. I praised God as the oppressive weight of fatigue lifted off my soul.
Community Is Good For The Soul
Three more athletes arrived during my workout. The protection and encouragement of community is the answer God sent. When the weight on our souls gets heavy, community is important. Each one of us still had to bear the weight set by our coaches, but doing the work together made it easier to bear. Are you feeling deep heaviness in your soul? Perhaps there is a community of like-minded people who can support you in your hour of need. When I suffered a stillbirth, I found a support group, when I struggled as a survivor of sexual abuse I found a counselor, whenever life gets heavy, God leads me to those who can support me throughout the struggle. My prayer is that God will provide a community to energize and support you as you bear the weight of this season in your life.
*For those of you who prayer walk, think of the times God has provided the protection and encouragement of community for you. Give thanks for those who have come alongside you when you’ve needed it most. To access this week’s choices of screensavers click here