Jesus knew what He was talking about when He warned His disciples about getting weary, didn’t He? It seems almost normal for everyone to be exhausted of strength these days– and not just physically. I’m seen it (and felt it myself). People are weary emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well.

In fact, I’ll be bold enough to say the physical is the side-effect of what’s really going on spiritually.

This is also why I turn to Romans, Chapter 8 often. There is so much richness and help within the verses of this single chapter. But it’s one particular verse that feeds my faith the most–

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

IF-THEN

Have you heard of the “if-then principle”? It’s throughout the Bible (and life). “If” x-y-z happens, “then” such-and-such will be the result. If… then… is guaranteed.

Romans 8:11 is an if-then verse. IF Jesus dwells within you, THEN you can count on the promise of the Holy Spirit quickening and strengthening your mortal body. So why don’t we rest in and rely on this more often?

Think about what’s being promised here– IF the Holy Spirit lives in you (and He does because you’re a born-again believer hopefully), THEN the same Holy Spirit that resurrected Jesus from death, WILL give life to your mortal body today (and every day you activate faith in this promise)!

When I’m feeling weary, or even ill, this is my first go-to every time.

If the Holy Spirit can raise Jesus from death, I have faith He can help me with anything! The problem is we don’t seriously turn on the switch of faith in this covenant promise. In general, people agree God can or He even would if we prayed, but then it’s left in the realm of head knowledge and not activated.

We need to use our faith.

I tell myself often (and often lay hands over my heart as a point of contact) that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells richly on the inside of me to quicken my mortal body and drive out all trespassing symptoms of fatigue (or sickness or disease, or whatever’s ailing me)!

And notice the Bible clearly used the words mortal body. I didn’t make that up. So we can’t make this verse be about heaven or some future time when we have new, glorified bodies. No, this is a promise for the here-and-now! God knows we need this kind of help in this life!

So take it. Begin to activate your faith for strength– physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

It really is as simple as stating this verse outloud over yourself. At first, it may feel like starting an old car. The engine may putter a bit and eventually get going. But the more you keep turning that engine on, adding the fuel and oil of faith to it, it’ll start up quicker and stronger each time. This is true of faith in any area.

I want to enter the new year strong in every way possible. And I believe you do too. So start with this promise– “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in [me]. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to [my] mortal body by this same Spirit living within [me]” (NLT), in Jesus’ Name!