Matthew 11:28-30 - Loved, chosen, & empowered

Do you ever feel as if life rushes at you faster than you can keep up, your feet have begun to slip, and your muscles feel so fatigued, you aren’t sure how much longer you can keep standing? If so, then I hope my guest Debbie Wilson’s post encourages you.

Encouragement for the Weak and Weary

by Debbie Wilson

After 16 days of taking oral chelators for heavy metal poisoning, I was beyond exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I couldn’t hold two thoughts together, let alone think of putting together and presenting an upcoming talk.

I asked a closed Facebook group to pray for me. Hoping for some inspiration, I picked up Robert Morgan’s The Strength You Need, a book a friend had given me. It took me to Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV).

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The author pointed out that although we may feel powerless against emotions that come upon us, we have some level of control over our attitudes. Heeding his wisdom, I selected a channel of praise music on my Pandora app and began to sing.

About this time, notices began popping up on my iPhone telling me people were praying. Each message lifted my spirit. I didn’t have to fight this battle alone.

To know we don’t have to stay discouraged is a wonderful hope when life overwhelms us. As we find joy in the Lord, our inner strength returns.

The Psalmist wrote, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Ps. 119:71 ESV).

I’ve experienced the truth of those words. Whenever I go through a trial, Scriptures that apply to what I’m going through jump off the pages of my Bible.

Have you felt weary, weak, or incompetent for the tasks before you? I want to share some Scriptures that spoke to me in my season of weariness. May you draw strength from these promises.

Strength for the Weak and Weary

“As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25 ESV).
“The Lord’s eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them” (2 Chronicles 16:9 GW).
“The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” (Psalm 68:35 NLT).
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29 NIV).

Wisdom for the Weak and Weary

“Do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11 NKJV).
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34 NLT).
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB).
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV).

I experienced the power of community, and God granted me the strength to prepare and deliver my talk.

The whole Godhead is pulling for you (Rom. 8:26-38)! You don’t have to fight your battle alone. But sometimes, we need to ask for prayers.

March on, my soul; be strong! Judges 5:21 NIV

Get to Know Debbie W. Wilson

Drawing from her walk with Christ, and years as a Christian counselor, coach, and Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy fruitful and grace-filled lives. She is the author of Little Strength, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband Larry founded and run Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. She is an AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) certified speaking and writing coach. Debbie enjoys a good mystery, dark chocolate, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Refresh your faith with free resources including the free pdf download “Forty Days to Strength” at debbieWwilson.com.

Check out her latest release, Little Strength, Big God

Discover the Power of a Big God in Your Everyday Life

Whether you’re facing giants, struggling with doubt, or feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, this study reveals how ordinary people throughout the Bible encountered an extraordinary God. And you can too.

Through Little Strength, Big God you’ll:

Learn how to triumph over oppressive enemies and seemingly impossible odds
Discover how God’s power shines brightest through your weaknesses
Gain practical insights for daily living and spiritual growth

Perfect for individual study or small groups, this book on Hebrews 11:23-40 combines in-depth biblical exploration with thought-provoking questions and contemporary applications.

Don’t let your weaknesses define you. Little Strength, Big God shows you how to see your challenges through the lens of a big God. It’s time to move from little strength to life-changing confidence in the God who can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

How to Trust God When Prayers Go Unanswered – Faith Over Fear

In this powerful episode of Faith Over Fear, Carol sits down with Chad Roberts to confront one of the most painful lies we believe in suffering: If God loved me, He would stop this. Even more deeply, many of us quietly wrestle with the fear that suffering means God has abandoned us. Through Chad’s personal story of losing his sight, this conversation gently but firmly reframes that lie with truth: God’s presence is not measured by our comfort. Instead of standing at a distance, He steps into our pain—and never leaves. Together, Carol and Chad explore how suffering can distort our view of God and whisper dangerous lies about His character. Rooted in Scripture, they walk through the stories of Joseph, Job, and ultimately Jesus, reminding us that while God may not always provide explanations, He always offers His presence. The cross becomes the clearest picture of this truth—not a removal of suffering, but redemption through it. This episode also unpacks what it means to develop unshakable confidence in God—not confidence in outcomes, but in His character. Chad offers practical insight into what “suffering well” looks like in everyday moments and how to guard your heart against bitterness when life doesn’t go as planned. For those walking alongside someone in pain, this conversation provides compassionate guidance on what to say—and what not to say—encouraging listeners to replace empty platitudes with meaningful presence. If you’re in a season of pain, disappointment, or questioning where God is, this episode offers a steady reminder: you are not alone, and your suffering is not a sign of God’s absence—but an invitation to experience His nearness in a deeper way. Resource referenced: Blind Faith: Seeing God Through Darkness by Chad Roberts Biblical verses and passages discussed: Psalm 118:24 James 1:2 Mark 11:22 Psalm 23:2 Jeremiah 2:13 2 Corinthians 4:17 1 Peter 4:19 Isaiah 40:31 Connect with Chad Roberts: On his website On Instagram On Facebook Follow his work on Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Reflective Questions: When you’re in a difficult season, what thoughts do you tend to believe about God—and are they rooted in truth or in fear? Have you ever equated God’s love with your level of comfort? How might that belief be shaping your faith right now? What would it look like for you to shift from trusting outcomes to trusting God’s character? In what ways might God be inviting you to experience His presence in your current struggle rather than removing it? How do you typically respond to others who are suffering—and how can you grow in offering presence instead of quick answers? What is one simple, grounding practice you can begin this week to stay anchored in truth when suffering feels overwhelming? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.