Today’s Readings:
Though young men faint
and grow weary,
and youths stagger and
fall,They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a fairly recent diagnosis. CFS is a condition, once thought to be
psychosomatic, whose underlying cause seems to be still a mystery to
experts. The syndrome is characterized
by an inability to successfully perform daily tasks. Physical and mental activity can increase the
effects of CFS; rest does not ameliorate the symptoms.
In the spiritual realm, the counterpart to CFS is known as “acedia.” Though some texts equate acedia with the sin
of sloth, it seems that many monastics preferred to refer to it as the “noonday
demon.” Acedia is a spiritual
listlessness that makes it difficult for a person to engage in his/her daily
tasks.
Maybe the readers have experienced acedia. I know I have. There were times I felt that I should be busy
about something; but I couldn’t bring myself to read, write, pray, practice
music, or undertake any kind of manual labor.
Acedia creates an uncomfortable feeling of being spiritually
disconnected.
Isaiah’s words may or may not be a way to cope with Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome, but I think they are a very positive way to deal with
acedia. “They that hope in the LORD will
renew their strength.” Or as Paul would
say in his letter to the Philippians, “I have the strength for everything
through him who empowers me. (4:13) In
times when we are dry, listless, and lifeless, we turn to the Living Water of
Jesus Christ to find renewed energy and strength.
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