December 8: Worn Out in the Holiday Rush
Lists, crowds, bills, events. You’re running on empty, and the season is only getting busier.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
December has a way of filling up fast. Gifts to buy with money you don’t really have. Parking lots full of frustrated drivers. Work parties. School programs. Family plans to coordinate. Everyone seems to want something. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, you’re trying to stay sober and stay close to God.
Exhaustion is a risk factor in recovery. Many people use a simple reminder: watch out when you’re hungry, angry, lonely or tired. December can deliver all four in one afternoon. When you’re worn down, your defenses are thinner. The old voice gets louder. “You deserve something to take the edge off.”
Isaiah speaks right to tired people. God gives power to the weak. To those with no might, He increases strength. Even young people get tired and fall. But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They’ll mount up with wings like eagles. They’ll run and not be weary. They’ll walk and not faint.
Notice the order. Soar. Run. Walk. It goes down, not up. On some days, the best you’ll manage is walking without fainting. That’s still God’s strength at work. Not every day is an eagle day. Many days are just one foot in front of the other. That counts.
“Wait for the Lord” isn’t passive. It means turning to Him for strength instead of trying to push through on your own. It means taking time to pray even when you’re busy. Especially when you’re busy.
Practically, guard your energy this month. You can say no to some invitations. You can spend less on gifts. You can keep your meetings and your morning prayer as fixed appointments, not optional extras. You can get to bed on time. Recovery isn’t something you add to a full schedule. It’s what holds the schedule together.
And if a craving hits in the middle of the rush, step away. Sit in the car. Breathe. Pray. Call someone. It’ll pass.
One thing today
Look at your calendar for this month. Cross off or shorten one thing that’s draining you. Write your meetings and prayer time in as fixed appointments.
A prayer
Lord, I’m tired, and the season is loud. Renew my strength. When I can’t soar, help me run. When I can’t run, help me walk. Keep me sober and close to You through all of it. Amen.
If cravings are strong this season, see help with alcohol cravings.
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