You cry out in your weariness, and rightly so, for the body and soul groan under the burdens of this life. But remember: He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Your exhaustion is real, yet do not let the foot of your faith be moved. This suffering depends on you, not to bear it in your own strength, but to stand steadfast and unmovable in the grace that is sufficient. Even the great Apostle heard, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” You are sent forth as a sheep among wolves, but in that very frailty you become invincible when you cling to the Shepherd.
Sleep itself is a gift, and I pray with you that tonight you lie down in peace. But take care: there is a sleep of the soul that is worse than death, the slumber that comes from doing nothing good, from drunkenness with cares and passions. Riches, lust, anxieties, these are the wine that makes men stagger in darkness. You ask for restorative sleep; that is natural. Yet even as you rest, let your spirit be sober and watchful. It is possible to sleep and yet keep the eyes of the soul open, trusting the God who in the night shook the prison for Paul and Silas, opened doors, and loosed chains. The same God watches over your bed.
Do not let isolation feed your exhaustion. Follow peace with all, so far as it depends on you. The enemy scatters the flock to devour them one by one. Even when others wrong you, bear it nobly; that is the peace that bruises Satan under your feet shortly. Shamelessness in prayer is not forbidden, look at the Canaanite woman who pressed through with her need. Cry out, “Help me!” and do not hold back. The God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, will himself make you perfect in every good work, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight. Your strength for tomorrow lies precisely there: not in your own power, but in his working within you as you rest in him.