When You Are At the End of Your Rope, Cling to the Hem of His Garment

The start of this semester has been absolutely insane, and I am so grateful for all of the answered prayers that I'm living in. The Lord is moving and working in so many ways, and I am so amazed by Him. With that being said - I am tired. I have the privilege of being able to pour out so much as I invest in the people I'm meeting and the friendships I'm deepening, but I have been feeling so drained. I catch myself feeling discouraged and running on empty, and I've honestly been really struggling with that. My schedule is so full with so many good things, but I'm just tired.

This adjustment back to college, living on my own, and taking on a leadership role in college have all been really big steps for me, but the Lord has been teaching me so much through it. He is so gracious and blessing me in incredible ways, but He's also refining my heart. The Father has been reminding me that when I am at the end of myself, that's where He can begin. When I have nothing left to give, it is an opportunity for the Lord to pour out in me.

The first few weeks of college were full of welcome events with Christian Challenge, and while they were so fun, I was exhausted. There were a few nights that I dreaded going, and I prayed that the Lord would give me what I need when I need it to make it through the evening. And oh, how He provided! Every time, I found myself filling up with energy as I met new people, invited them in, and learned more about their story. He provided the words, the strength, and the courage to be bold and pour into these people, and that's what this whole season has been teaching me.

I only have a limited amount of strength, but God is infinite. The things I am called to or walking through might be too much for me, but it is never too much for Him, and I have the privilege of having unlimited access to the Father. I can lean on Him and depend on HIm to fill me up, to provide and work through me when I physically cannot do it. And I can trust that He will come through, because He is a good God, and He cares about His children. God has never once left me, and especially never in times of need or desperation (even if sometimes the relief or strength isn't instant).

Coming to the Lord in my weakness has helped me to draw closer to Him even more. I need God so desperately, and He is so gentle and kind to me in my need. I've experienced His presence in different ways than ever before, and I'm immensely grateful for that. Nothing in this world can satisfy like Jesus does, and there's nothing more refreshing than running into His arms after a long, draining day. There's nothing better than Him, truly.

If you are in a season that is wearing you down, I hear you and I understand. But you do not have to do this on your own. You don't have to fake it till you make it and keep carrying on. I've found that when I'm feeling empty, I have to adjust my rhythms to create more space for me to rest and lean into the Lord. For me, I'm trying to incorporate more journalling, slower morning/evening routines when possible, and choosing joy by worshipping. I'm most definitely a work in progress, but God's grace has always met me where I'm at, as long as I'm willing to accept it.

It can be helpful to come to the Lord prayerfully and ask Him what He wants you to prioritize in this season, and how He wants you to make space for rest and being refreshed by Him. Our quiet times, routines, or relationship with Jesus won't always look the same in every season, and so we can let the Lord reveal to us what we need right now and be obedient in that. This is a really practical way to bring the Lord into all the things you're carrying, because we don't need bandaids or quick fixes, we need more of Jesus.

I'm so encouraged by the saying that when I'm at the end of my rope, I can cling to the hem of His garment. Jesus is so gracious, and He won't let me fall. All I have to do is depend on Him (which produces such fruit) and trust that He will carry me when I can't take another step on my own. Surrender is a beautiful thing, friends, and the more I learn to walk with my hands fully open to the Lord, the more peace I have, even when the situations around me are so overwhelming.

And just as the Lord has sustained me, He will sustain you, too. Nothing is "too much" for Him.

What are some ways that you practice depending on the Lord when your cup is empty? How have you experienced Him providing for you when you had nothing left to give? Let me know down in the comments below; I'm always so encouraged by others stories of how the Lord is working in their life!