God Gives Strength & Rest When We Are Weary

December 10, 2025 – Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121025.cfm)

A year ago, I met this young woman burdened with what she lost. She was the bread-winner of the family, and so losing her job meant everything. With such loss, a wave of worry came, as well as fear and sadness. She felt hopeless and afraid that she would not find another way of making ends meet. Her nights became sleepless and mornings heavy.

However, a friend reached out to her and cared to simply listen to her fears, and prayed with her. That became an opportunity to hope in God even when things are difficult for her. And slowly, the heavy burden on her heart began to ease. The presence of a friend became a comfort and support.

She began to look at her current crisis as an opportunity to be more creative. She decided to take the initiative rather than only waiting in worries. Instead of burying herself in fear, she began to trust more on God. In that way, she discovered a quiet strength returning. She found the courage to hope again and to trust that something better comes in God’s grace.

In the first reading from Isaiah, God’s voice echoed to remind the people of His creative power. After all, God is greater than anything to which we compare God. Hence, when we grow tired, weak, or discouraged, God does not grow faint. The Lord God promises to renew our strength and those who wait upon Him. This was what Isaiah reminded us, “He shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles … they shall walk and not faint.” This is not a promise to escape all difficulties in life. It is a promise that God carries us. He restores our strength when we rely on Him.

Such good news reechoed in the Gospel. Jesus says to you and to me now, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. … For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Jesus does not ignore our burdens. Instead, Jesus welcomes us, inviting us to bring all our tiredness, worries, and pain to Him. Jesus offers rest for our souls, gentle guidance, and relief. His “yoke” is the life of discipleship. It embodies trust and surrender. It is not a heavy oppression. Rather, it is a light and life-giving support to those who welcome Him.

That young woman’s real life situation reminds of God’s invitation for us today, as we wait for Jesus. Overwhelmed and hurting, someone reached out, it moved her to trust a friend, then opened her heart, and brought her pain before God. And God, through the community and prayer, renewed her strength. In fact, her burdens did not vanish instantly, but she found rest, hope, and the possibility to rise again.

What does this mean for us now? When you feel worn out, fearful, or overburdened by work or studies, remember that God sees you. When life’s troubles, loneliness, anxiety, or illness burden you, know that God acknowledges your struggles. Jesus is greater than your problems. This means that you don’t have to carry them alone. Jesus invites you to come to Him.

Thus, be open to support from prayer, from friends, from our faith community. remember, sometimes God’s strength comes through simple our human compassion. Hinaut pa.