Soaring High on Wings Like Eagles

When fatigued and discouraged, we often find it difficult to envision ever soaring high again, especially soaring on wings like eagles. But God gives a special promise to all of us weary ones.

A rare sighting of bald eagles, passing through our prairie region, occurs only in the spring or late fall. Each appearance of these majestic birds fills one with awe as they spread their massive wings, effortlessly rising to great heights. These stately birds of prey command attention. They were born to soar!

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah promised his weary, discouraged, and defeated nation,

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles …”
Isaiah 40:30-31

High Nest

A mating pair of eagles usually builds their nest in one of the tallest trees in the forest or on a high rocky ledge, near fresh or salt water. Perched high above, they defend a territory of up to two kilometers, keeping other eagles and preditors at bay. Though impressive in the sky, they awkwardly walk on the ground with a rocking gait.

From the time an eaglet breaks through its confining shell, it sees the world from dizzying heights.

In the same way, when we come into relationship with God through new birth by the Spirit, God opens our eyes to see from a higher perspective — to cast our gaze over “earthly” regions with altitude vision.

As we back up a few verses, Isaiah directed the vision of his people to a higher level as well. Tired and broken, they felt powerless, lacking any strength to fight. But God!

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become tired or grow weary;
There is no searching of His understanding.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who has no might He increases power.”

Isaiah 40:28-29

But God! God is and always will be the “Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator” of all. He NEVER grows tired or weary. His understanding is beyond comprehension. Oh, how wonderful! Because we are His, in a personal relationship with Him, “He gives strength” to all those who are weary. He increases the power of the weak.

The weak will rise, soaring high on wings like eagles!

But Wait

Isaiah reveals the key to accessing all that God has. It involves waiting.

The Hebrew word translated “wait” means to bind together, collect, or expect. The Amplified Bible says, “those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power.”

Sometimes we view waiting as passively, patiently, and quietly staying in the condition we’re in until the right moment. We think waiting is something to be endured.

Waiting with God implies a melding together, surrendering of our will, and aligning ourselves with His purposes. It includes expectation and complete trust. Waiting involves a deepening relationship with God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Those little eaglets don’t despair while flightlessly waiting in their nest. They trust for their daily provision, protection from the elements, and defence from predators. Unaware of subtle changes, their feathers grow in, their wings strengthen, while internal structures develop the power to maneuver their increasing mass.

Only in the waiting, only in the trusting, only in abiding in the “nest” of God’s care does our strength come as well.

He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who has no might He increases power.”

Isaiah 40:29

Wings like Eagles

God rescued us from the captivity of darkness and raised us to soar. He calls and equips us to rise to higher levels on wings like eagles.

The enemy desires to keep us grounded, incapacitating us. God never meant us to walk focused on ground-level initiatives. He embedded in us an eagle incentive. He invites us to “nest” with Him and rest in Him — becoming like Him, knowing His heart, gaining His perspective, and growing in spiritual strength and power.

The time to take flight comes only after waiting. Let’s come and wait. Then spread these powerful wings, sons and daughters of the Living God. Together, let’s exercise our gifting and anointing.

They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired
.
Isaiah 40:31

They will lift up their wings and rise up close to God. They will run and not become weary, walking without growing tired. What a promise God gives!

Though the nest has been a comfortable habitation, the adults encourage the eaglets to spread their wings on the upward currents. Some early flights result in crash landings. Ease of flight requires practice. But God created them to soar. This is their destiny.

Rise

No matter what you have been through. No matter how desperate your situation is. Rise little one! Ascend to the fullness of God’s calling over your life.

Eagles roost and rest for the night, but each morning they spread their wings and rise again.

Rest when you need to rest. Wait for God’s strength to surpass your weariness. Then, soar high on wings like eagles. God planted in you the craving for more. Whatever level you are living now is not your full potential.

May God give you courage to push above. May He grant you the strength and vision to ascend higher and to reach farther. Without taking your eyes off Him, fly — fly effortlessly into the next stage of your calling.

Bless you.

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Overcome Spiritual Fatigue: Minister Out of the Overflow

Overcome Spiritual Fatigue

These last few months have been a sometimes-up-sometimes-down battle to overcome spiritual fatigue. It’s a battle I’m winning! Sensing the pressures, first emotionally and then physically, I realized too slowly the true intensity of the battles I was facing.

God desires that we minster out of the overflow of the Spirit, rather than a dry well of exhaustion. Recently, I knew I was due for a personal inventory check. It was time for me to lean into God’s promise through Isaiah.

“He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak.”
Isaiah 40:29

At times, we all become weary and weak. However, when fatigue lingers, becoming constant and limiting, we are wise to take heed and evaluate the cause.

Fatigue

“As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103:13-14

Dust is the humbling, present reality of these bodies we occupy.

Taking Inventory

My first step to overcome spiritual fatigue began with this basic inventory check:

  • healthy diet
  • adequate sleep
  • routine exercise

It sounds far too practical, but these daily consistencies are critical for overall health and vitality. Any lack in these areas seriously affects my ability to function and reach my potential. Unhealthy cravings, irritability or lethargy often trace back to imbalance in one of these three elements.

Lethargy

Jesus set such a wonderful example in caring for His disciples. When they were hungry, He provided food. He often drew them away from the demanding crowds for much needed rest.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ “
Mark 6:31

A healthy diet goes far beyond food. What am I filling my mind with? Am I pacifying, or medicating, an important need with a cheap substitute?

What about rest? Am I getting adequate sleep and guarding a “Sabbath” rest? (This has honestly been a struggle for me!) Exodus 31:17 tells us that God, who never runs low on energy, “rested and was refreshed” on the Sabbath. How much more important for us? Recreation gives God time to re-create and re-fresh us. Having fun is seriously important for stress packed lives.

Sometimes, to overcome spiritual fatigue, we must begin by taking care of physical and emotional needs.

The Problem

Because much of the work I do involves people in critically disturbing situations, it often drains my energy reserve and leaves me feeling fatigued. Some of what I witness is extremely dehumanizing. Ultimately, behind the scenes of each one of these lives lurks spiritual entities, attempting to “steal, kill and destroy” people whom Jesus loves deeply.

Sleep

Regardless of the situations which are making withdrawals from our inner reserve, God’s promise remains,

” ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ ”
Matthew 11:28-30

Just reading these words offers insight and breathing space. Whenever I’m feeling “weary and burdened” and the “yoke” weighs heavy, I know I’m carrying something God willingly offers to relieve me of. Only He possesses the strength and power to carry the weight of human oppression, injustice and indignity.

“Come to me,” Jesus invites.

The Solution

Don’t discard God’s solution as overly practical. “Come!”

Do you know Jesus Christ? Are you living in personal relationship with Him? Great!

“. . . He saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5

The renewal by the Holy Spirit is ours. Not just a onetime, special, salvation offer, but a continual opportunity to come to Him for a redo!

Tired

The solution to overcome spiritual fatigue also appears simple and practical. In coming, we:

  • spend time with Him daily in prayer, Bible reading and meditating on His Word
  • pursue a heart attitude of worship, quietly or expressively
  • adopt praise, being thankful to God in the midst of all situations and struggles

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31

When you’re feeling more than a little fatigued and stumble, don’t panic. For those who “hope in the Lord,” it is a temporary condition.

Sit at Jesus’ feet, receiving and being filled anew with His Spirit, He will renew your strength. Just like exhaustion came gradually, often restoring takes process as well. Come! Drink deep from His reserve — drink again and again.

Resting

Overcome Spiritual Fatigue

To overcome spiritual fatigue might require one more step — identify unnecessary hindrances.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith . . .”
Hebrews 12:1-2

I’ve been asking God to examine my heart to expose any unresolved issues of unforgiveness, bitterness, critical judgements, selfishness or pride. Yours may be different, but these are often my tangle points. God clearly says the responsibility to “throw off” these weights belongs to us.

After this last step, the flow into our lives through Holy Spirit runs pure and strong. As we identify the problems and develop solutions to overcome spiritual fatigue, the overflow comes clear and constant.

Horse sleeping

How much better and more fulfilling to minister out of the overflow of Holy Spirit, rather than from the stagnant sludge of spiritual fatigue. Through these practical steps, God’s renewing and revitalizing pours through us and from us to others.

I hope my brief progress report on how to overcome spiritual fatigue encourages you. My dad would say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Whether we’re needing prevention or a cure, an ounce or a pound, God is able. Come!