Recently there have been days where I have been in battle against the enemy, myself, and at times it seems like even the Lord. I have not shared my challenges with many, but today I feel led to ask for prayer about a few of them. Over the past couple weeks I have felt drained and as I look back over all that I did I can clearly see that not much had been accomplished that I felt needed to be done. I have come to need to nap some days and feel like I am failing in most of my responsibilities. Many people have expressed their disappointment in my lack of attention. I feel like I’m falling short every day in one way or another. The harder I try the worse I seem to do. There are moments when I wonder if I am simply trying to carry more than the Lord ever intended me to carry on my own. I know many of you have walked through similar seasons where your heart desires to do so much for the Lord, yet your body and mind seem unable to keep pace. Those moments can be discouraging, but they also remind me how desperately I need the grace of God every single day. The Lord has been teaching me that my value is not measured by my productivity in this world but by my faithfulness to Him with eternity in mind. Even in my weakness, I trust that He is still working in me and through me for His glory. It might be that the hustle I go through day in and day out is catching up with me. It might also simply be that I am getting older and my body is worn, and I am no longer able to do all that I once could—especially with the heat in Tucson, lol. It seems to be getting a little better as I slow down and rest more, but it is still frustrating to feel so lethargic and unable to work or accomplish much of anything. There are other things that I battle with as well that have led to a slight depression and losing focus on the important parts of my life. I watch the children in our home struggle with everyday life and with how the world sees them, and it is heartbreaking. And the weather is always a factor with how I provide for my family. The rain causes severe anxiety for me due to the outside work I do. Recently I have experienced some health concerns and now I am dealing with a broken tooth. Oftentimes I read the prayer request from the congregation and hear about the needs in the community and my heart is weighed down even more. When I look at what others are going through, I know my struggles may seem small by comparison, and I almost feel like I shouldn’t say anything, but still, here I am. Spiritual fatigue can become overwhelming when a Christian is heavily invested in the work of the kingdom because the seasons are long and trials of life are relentless. I have been blessed to have the strength to continue to minister. I have learned that when I feel spiritually, emotionally, and physically drained, I press into Jesus, and when I do, I come through stronger, closer to God, and more established in my faith. When I am worn and tired I am often reminded of the rebuke of the Lord written in Jeremiah 12:5: “But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, saying, ‘If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if you take to flight in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?'” My friends, I want to encourage you as I fight to be encouraged as well. When your strength feels too weak, and the enemy seems too large, I want to urge you to run to the Lord. When your vision is dim and your trials are overwhelming, run to the Lord. When your feet are tired and you are worn down from the race and battle, if need be to crawl, crawl to the Lord. And if you are too weak to crawl, reach out to those around you for help, those who genuinely love you so they can carry you to the foot of the cross. None of us were created to fight these battles alone, for God has given us one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us continue to bear one another’s burdens, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, demonstrating the love of Christ to everyone He brings into our lives. My prayer is that our hearts would remain united in the gospel, welcoming every person with the same grace and compassion that Jesus has shown each of us. May we never lose our passion for the kingdom of God, but instead encourage one another daily so that together we may faithfully serve the Lord until He calls us home. Our heavenly Father will give you the strength to endure, and by the power of His Spirit you will finish the race triumphantly and glorify the Lord Jesus. Even in the hardest seasons, there is still hope because our hope is not found in our circumstances, our strength, or our ability to accomplish everything before us, but in Jesus Christ, who remains faithful through it all. We can still have joy in the Lord even when we are weary, because the joy He gives is not dependent upon how easy the journey is but upon knowing that we belong to Him and that He is with us every step of the way. So let us lift our eyes beyond the battle and rejoice, knowing that the same Lord who carries us through our valleys will faithfully lead us into the fullness of His promises. Remember that we are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from victory.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.