This simple three-letter word has, at many points in our lives, carried the weight of unspoken words; pain so deep that we find ourselves unable to articulate it. So, we sigh, releasing the weight in a simple sound; hmm...
Growing up, my sister and I often heard our mom sigh, a deep weary hmm, and honestly, it unnerved us. I, in particular, would retreat to my room. But now, as a mother with many responsibilities, I understand. I can only imagine what must have been running through her mind, the weight she carried. In retrospect, I wish I had been more gracious. There were moments in early motherhood when my eyes were red and puffy from exhaustion, and the realization of all she endured after giving birth to me hit me. In those moments, I did what you can do too; I sent her a message of appreciation.
Other times, ‘hmm’ bears the burden of struggles we hold on to, the weight we find so difficult to lay down, yet know we must if we are to run the race set before us. Hebrews 12:1 says: “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.”
If not for God, the weight of anger would have consumed me. The person writing this message would have long been swallowed by guilt and all the destruction that anger brings. I cannot even imagine the foothold I would have given the devil if God had not preserved me and given me time to repent and grow in His mercy.
Imagine if many of us had died in our sin before getting the chance to repent. Scripture tells us that God’s patience is not weakness but rather an opportunity for us to turn to Him. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The Bible also says that God does not desire the death of a sinner but longs for repentance and salvation. Ezekiel 18:23 says: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”
Yet for some, ‘hmm’ is not necessarily sin in the strict sense of the word, but indulgences; things that are not inherently evil but are not beneficial either. Habits we could do without, yet we have grown so accustomed to taking a bite, just a little more, a little longer until it became our master. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says: “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”
For others, it is the weight of obedience or responsibility. Our Lord Jesus Christ felt the crushing weight of His calling. He saw the suffering, the shame, and the agony that awaited Him. The very sacrifice He had prepared for from eternity past now stood before Him in terrifying reality. In that moment, He groaned under the weight, longing for another way. He said: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.”( Luke 22:42). And yet, He bore it. For love. For us.
Chemistry 157 and 1 Peter 5:7
The first time I heard 1 Peter 5:7 was in my first year at university. As a law student, I had no business with chemistry, but Chemistry 157 was infamous. The fear of it spread like wildfire, passed down from older students to freshmen. Honestly, I think many failed more from fear than difficulty.
But as the reputation of Chemistry 157 grew, so did the spread of 1 Peter 5:7; a word of grace in the midst of anxiety. I believe many believers took this word of grace seriously, prayed with it, and excelled; because God’s word never fails. You can take it to the bank like a check you know won’t bounce.
Strength in Prayer
Jesus did what we all must do when we feel overwhelmed. He prayed. And then He prayed some more. In His darkest hour, He sought the company of His disciples, asking them to watch and pray with Him for just one hour. But they slept. And in that solitude, I imagine He must have felt so alone, so weary. Matthew 26:38 says he said “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Yet, even as His closest friends failed to keep vigil, Jesus pressed on in prayer. And that prayer made all the difference. As He prayed, He reached a place of total surrender to the will of God.
Can you imagine what would have become of our beloved Apostle Peter if Jesus had not prayed for him, his denial of Christ three times would have been nothing compared to what the devil had in store. Jesus said: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32).
If Jesus had not interceded, do you think any of the disciples would have remained standing? I believe it was Jesus’ intercession that even kept Peter zealous enough to follow the crowd, stealthily watching what became of his Master.
Here is the good news: Jesus understands you and me. He gets you. He has walked this road before, and because of this, He can intercede for you even now. Hebrews 4:15 says “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are; yet he did not sin.” This is why He said in Matthew 11:28-30: ‘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.
This is why every ounce of strength you will ever need to walk in God’s will can only be gathered in the place of prayer. In difficult moments, strength is found in prayer. Luke 22:43-44 says “An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly.” When you pray, you become stronger. Isaiah 40:31 says “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.”
And when words fail, when you do not even know what to say, just cry out: “Lord, have mercy. Lord, help me.” Because there is no solution outside of prayer, and it is always better to seek the mercy of God than to remain silent. Jeremiah 33:3 says “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
So, pray. And then pray some more. Pray silently, pray in your heart, pray shouting, pray anyhow, but by all means possible, pray. As you do this, you will find strength to drop every weight and baggage that makes you stumble. And when the weight is your cares, you will find grace to cast them on the Lord, knowing that He cares for you and will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22 , 1 Peter 5:7).
Strength will come.
