If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you are utterly exhausted, or have at one point been wiped out by debilitating fatigue. Know that these words are here for you now or whenever you’re in that place again (which I dearly hope and pray you won’t be anytime soon). When you’re in it, that’s when these words will mean something different, something more.

And if you have a friend who is battling through autoimmune disease symptoms or wrestling with fatigue, do a brave thing and share these words with her. Let’s be the kind of women who spread encouragement at every turn—why keep it to ourselves?

So if you’re in the thick of it right now, in this exact moment, this is for you.

And oof.

This is hard.

This is so painfully hard because I know you so desperately want to feel better, to have more energy to do what you planned, to do what you want to do, to show up for people how you want to show up for them. I know you’re in agony because this isn’t how you imagined it would be—this day, week, season, life.

I know. My heart is grieving with yours. This is so real.

I know you’re tired of being tired and it feels like you may never be yourself again, or at least, not in the ways you imagined or hoped.

I want you to hear something, in this specific state of fatigue, exhaustion, of being crumpled up on the couch, hiding from reality:

Your life is not over.

Today isn’t even over.

Today isn’t a waste.

Today is not just a stepping stone toward a day that actually matters.

If you’re breathing right now, in this moment, you have a purpose. There is hope and potential for healing, freedom, joy, presence, and LIFE.

So what if your to-do list doesn’t happen or all the things you told yourself had to get done don’t get done?

Praise the Lord we aren’t measured by our success or achievements. Thank God He cares more about the state of our hearts than our to-do lists.

So in this exhausting, confusing, lonely hour, cry out to Him. Cry all the tears you need to cry. Your low energy doesn’t mean you are of low value or your potential is dwindling.

Even if you’re too exhausted to take a physical step, you can pass the burden off to the One who can take it all. You don’t ever need to carry the burden of self-condemnation, but you especially don’t need to carry it right now.

You have not messed up your day or the trajectory of your life. You have not surprised God. He knew this day would come, He knew you’d be knee-deep in fatigue at this hour.

You are human. Our bodies are strong and resilient, yet they’re also gentle and in need of rest. My gentle and strong encouragement, empowerment, and equipment for you?

Take a minute to connect with yourself and with God. One minute.

Take a minute to cut through the emotional noise of what your fatigue feels like (which, I know, is so real). Check in with yourself on these questions:

What are you feeling physically—specifically? Where is it the most intense? 

What are you feeling emotionally—specifically? What’s the most acute feeling or thought?

What disappointments or unmet expectations are coming up right now?

Now give it to Him. Let Him carry everything that came up for you, and may you be reminded of these truths:

You are loved.

You are beloved. 

You are precious, beautiful, and radiant.

Your Father delights in you—no matter how you’re feeling.

And no matter how you’re feeling, nothing about Him ever changes. Nothing about your identity or how He sees you changes. You are good. Period.

So now, sweet friend, what can you do?

Can you listen to a worship song?

Can you take a 20-minute nap?

Can you make a grocery list, go run one errand, or tackle the 1-3 most important things for today?

Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.

Just because you’re struggling physically doesn’t mean you can’t experience or choose freedom, joy, or abundance.

Just because it’s intense right now doesn’t mean you will always feel this way. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow could be an entirely different story.

And even if it’s not, you can rest in the truth you are still free. With Jesus, you can live in spiritual freedom at any moment, which makes all the difference.

You are good.

You are worthy.

You are loved.

Always.

Here’s to rest, hope, and freedom—all of it belongs to you.

It won’t be like this forever.