Written by Mark Altrogge | Monday, August 31, 2015

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Being a disciple of Jesus is hard. He said we must daily take up our cross and die to ourselves. He calls us to serve, love, and look to the interest of others. Following Jesus yields immeasurable joy, but we can also grow weary from day to day. Weary in parenting, weary in serving, weary in trials and affliction.

When we’re weary we can find fresh strength, joy and motivation in Christ. Here are 10 ways to do that:

Come to Jesus for rest

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” MT 11.28-30

Confess your weariness to the Lord

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. PS 6.6

Ask Jesus to restore and revive you

The LORD is my shepherd… He restores my soul. PS 23.1, 3

Remind yourself that Jesus won’t forget your labors for him

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. HEB 6.10

Ask Jesus for joy

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. JN 16.24

Ask Jesus for strength

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; IS 40.28-30

Ask Jesus for his own affection for people

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus PHP 1.8

Remind yourself that your work for the Lord is not in vain

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 CO 15.58

Remind yourself that someday you’ll reap rewards

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. GA 6.9

Remind yourself of God’s future commendation

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ MT 25.23

Mark Altrogge has been the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, PA for over 25 years, and is the author of many well known worship songs such as “I Stand In Awe”, and “In The Presence”. This article first appeared on his blog and is used with permission.