A Tonic for the Tired by Theodore Ledyard Cuyler

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 18, 1886

A Tonic for the Tired.

By Theodore Ledyard Cuyler

WATCH the faces as they go by you on a crowded street, and just notice what a tired look many of them wear. If we could read all the hearts around us, we could find multitudes who are weary in spirit, and who sometimes sigh for a pillow in the grave. Some are tired out with life’s hard struggles, with bearing the heat and burden of the day. Others persist in piling up anxieties as high as the old-fashioned peddler’s pack. They carry a huge load of care as to how they shall make both ends meet, and how they shall “foot the bills” that accumulate, and how they shall provide for all the hungry mouths and scanty wardrobes. One is tired from trying to do too much, and another of waiting for something to do. A grievous burden of spiritual despondency makes Brother Smallfaith’s heart ache, and puts an extra wrinkle into Sister Weakback’s countenance. Here is a disciple who is tired of waiting for success, and there is another, of waiting for answers to prayer.

Do you suppose that the dear Master does not see all these tired bodies and exhausted nerves and weary hearts? To those who are honestly run down with honest toil, he says, “Come ye apart into a quiet place, and rest awhile.” God puts a night of sleep after every day of work, for this very purpose of recruiting lost force. To Christians with small purses he kindly says, “Your life consisteth not in the abundance of things ye possess. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich. My grace is sufficient for thee: at my right hand are treasures forever more.” There is not really money enough in this land to give every man a fortune; but there are promises enough in the Bible and grace enough in Christ Jesus to make everybody rich to all eternity. Just think what a millionaire a man is who has a clean conscience here, and a clear hope of Heaven hereafter! To poor Brother Smallfaith and sorrowful Mrs. Weakback he gives a wonderful lift in these words, “Lo, I am with you alway. No man shall pluck you out of my hands. It is my Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

If we had the sense and the grace to drop all superfluous anxieties, and pitch off all sinful desires, and heave overboard all worry, Christ would give us strength enough to carry every legitimate load in life. What a precious word for the weary is this: “Cast your care on him, for he careth for you.” I need hardly inform intelligent Bible-readers that this verse literally reads, “For he has you on his heart.” He who piloted the patriarch through the deluge, and fed the prophet by the brook, and supplied the widow’s cruise, and watched over the imprisoned apostle, and numbers every hair of our heads, has every one of us on his great, almighty, loving heart!

When our divine Master says to us, “Cast your care on me,” he does not release us from legitimate duty, or the joy of doing it. He aims to take the needless tire out of us by taking sinful anxiety out of our hearts and putting the tonic of trust into its place. This glorious doctrine of trust is a restful one to the overloaded. For let us remind ourselves again that it is not honest work that usually breaks God’s children down. Work strengthens sinew, promotes appetite, and induces wholesome sleep. The ague fit of worry consumes strength, disorders the nerves, and banishes sweet, refreshing slumber. A life consecrated to Christ, that oils all its joints with cheerful faith and tones its blood with the iron of the promises, never grows pale in the cheek or crippled in its gait.—T. L. Cuyler, D. D.