Quick Backdrop
How’s your energy factor these days? Studies have shown that due to less sunlight in the winter months (the days are shorter), people tend to be more depressed and have less energy. There’s even a name for it: seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD.

The thing is, whether the days are long or short, people get tired—not just physically tired but also emotionally and spiritually tired. We weren’t built to live in a fallen world. It’s as if we’re constantly swimming upstream, and that gets tiring. Thankfully, God offers some help.

The What
The passages below give us perspective on tiredness and strength. You may want to print these passages from a Bible program so you can mark up the verses when you find the information. As you read these passages from your Bible or a print out, do the following:

1. Draw a cloud over references to God or Jesus (the Son!).

2. Draw a mini fireworks explosion over words such as strength and power.

Isaiah 40:28-30
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Colossians 1:9-12
Philippians 4:12-13
1 Timothy 1:12-14
2 Peter 1:3-9

Now do this: Look at the clouds and fireworks you marked in the verses. What relationship do you see between God and strength? Write down an observation or two below.

Then This: In most of these passages, God’s people are in some kind of condition or situation. Review each passage and jot a word or two describing the condition of the people (the phrase in parenthesis below tells you who the passage is about).

Isaiah 40 (God’s people, and youth, in general): _____________
2 Corinthians 12 (the apostle Paul): _______________________
Philippians 4 (the apostle Paul): __________________________
1 Timothy 1 (the apostle Paul): __________________________
2 Peter 1 (the apostle Peter, writing about believers): ________

The So What
Which of these conditions best describes you? Circle any that apply.
Isaiah 40: Are you tired?
2 Corinthians 12: Do you have a nagging thorn?
Philippians 4: Are you in a situation in which you need to learn to be content?
1 Timothy 1: Do you have a past that you wish you could forget?
2 Peter 1: Are you a believer needing to add virtues to your faith?

Circle any of those phrases that best describe you.

Seal the Deal
Within the context of life, where do you need strength?
Breaking a bad habit?
Beating a temptation?
Learning to be content in a hard situation?
Breaking from a mistake-laden past?
Softening my anger?
Serving other people?

Write out a prayer to God that expresses your desire to receive the strength He is so ready to provide. You may want to use these prompts, which reflect Paul’s experience in 2 Corinthians 12:
1. Boast in the weakness: admit it, embrace it,
2. Make the trade: replace the weakness with Christ’s power
3. Take the grace: grace is all that; lean into it

Now take a few minutes to breathe that prayer into your heart.

It’s cool that after centuries of scholarly debate, no one can name with certainty Paul’s thorn. Was it physical? Emotional? Spiritual? Without that certainty, we all are able to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes. No matter your weakness or situation, God will provide the strength. When He does, something beautiful happens.