Strength to the Weary, Power to the Weak

Is. 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
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 be faint.

I was just sitting here pondering this Scripture. It's uplifting to know that we have a Father who knows/understands our weakness and doesn't hold it against us. He is the ultimate symbol and manifestation of strength and sustenance. Life would be empty without Him. Then I thought about how I have and haven't necessarily applied this scripture to my own life. I'm wondering why I can't break free from of my own weariness and weakness because I have grown tired and I have fallen.

We've got the world fooled, some of us Christians. We paint this portrait of endless power, joy, and completeness, but we don't share how we struggle. We don't share our testimonies. We don't walk naked and honest about our struggles and hardships. Some of us are quick to look down on fellow believers who are suffering from addictions, depression, anger, etc. Then we wonder why many people don't have much respect for us and our God. We don't talk about how we're not sure when or if "it will be okay." We don't talk about the dread we wake up with every morning. We don't talk about the loneliness. We don't talk about how gradual the healing process is. I used to think we could just pick up and move on until I had my own breaking point. We don't talk about how we have our own existential crises. Sometimes we make others feel as if their feelings about an issue or experience are unworthy of consideration. I think in our efforts to be spiritually strong, we confuse that with natural strength but want to call it the Holy Spirit. We think telling people to be strong and pray is the antidote, but don't tell people how long it may take to retain that strength. Sometimes I get the impression that some Christians use the faith as the one time cure all when it's not. Christianity is a journey and a relationship that evolves. There are days we don't want to get out of bed. There are days we are weary. Times when we are disappointed with ourselves. Times when depression lasts are year longer than we expected.

But I know one thing: I have a Father who loves me and knows my pain. He knows how I sometimes feel alone in my struggles to overcome my fears. He knows I get tired and want to give up. He sees me naked everyday. He gets me. He even gave me a brother and an extra helper to keep me going. That's comforting some days. Then some days it's not. But I guess what matters most is that He is our strength and our power when we are at our weakest moments. Even when these moments last for over a year, it's but a blink of an eye to Him and restoration is on the way. He knows how I hunger for release and reinvention. He knows how I suffer from my own disappointments. He knows what I am passionate about. He knows where I lack experience.

I guess the strength and power comes from remembering that He knows us by our first and last names.