Held Enough to Keep Going
By Bianca Schaefer
Winter has a way of revealing what we’re carrying. The days are shorter, routines shift, and even faithful rhythms can feel heavier to maintain. You may find yourself more tired than usual, less motivated, or quietly wondering why rest hasn’t restored you the way it once did.
It’s a subtle kind of weariness—easy to dismiss, but hard to ignore. For many of us, this season raises unspoken questions about strength, capacity, and how we’re meant to keep going when momentum fades.
Scripture reminds us this experience isn’t new. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah finds himself in a deeply vulnerable place—not after failure, but after extraordinary faithfulness. One threat from Jezebel sends him running, exhausted and afraid. He collapses under the weight of it all and tells God he’s had enough.
What’s striking is how God responds. There’s no correction. No spiritual pep talk.
Instead, God meets Elijah with tenderness—food, water, and rest. Twice. Before addressing Elijah’s calling, God tends to his body and steadies his soul.
Reading this story in Scripture is a beautiful reminder many of us need: discouragement doesn’t always signal disobedience. Sometimes it signals depletion.
When seasons feel heavy—especially during winter—leading well often means tending to what’s practical, not just what’s spiritual. God’s care for Elijah shows us that restoration (and even relief from the winter blues) can begin with simple, intentional choices:
Get outside whenever you can. Fresh air and natural light help regulate mood, energy, and sleep. Even a short walk can shift your perspective.
Resist isolation. Being around people may feel exhausting, but prolonged isolation can deepen discouragement. Community and fellowship matter more than we realize.
Let the light into your home. Open the blinds. Crack a window. Light changes atmosphere—both physically and emotionally.
Move your body gently. Bundle up and walk, stretch, or try something that feels life-giving rather than punishing.
Plan something joyful. A coffee date, a creative class, or a simple outing gives you something to look forward to.
Practice gratitude in small things. Warm tea, a kind text, a quiet moment—these anchor us.
Foster joy through prayer and Scripture. Not to “fix” yourself, but to sit honestly with God.
Steward your body well. Nourishing food, hydration, and even a massage, warm bath, or at-home facial can be acts of care, not indulgence.
Leading well doesn’t mean ignoring weariness. It means recognizing when strength must be restored before vision can be renewed.
Ask yourself:
Where might I be misinterpreting weariness as failure?
What practical form of care do I need to receive in this season?
Prayer:
God, You see my fatigue and my questions. Thank You for meeting me with patience and compassion. Help me steward my body and soul wisely, trusting that renewal comes in Your timing. Amen.