El profeta Elías en el desierto confortado por un ángelFelipe Gil de Mena · 1650–00

Fainting

/FAYN-ting/

Summary

Physical or emotional exhaustion and weakness, whether from fatigue, hunger, fear, grief, or discouragement, with Scripture encouraging believers not to faint but to trust God.

☩Physical Causes

Scripture describes fainting from various physical causes. Esau came from the field 'faint' with hunger (Genesis 25:29-30). Saul's army fainted from exhaustion in pursuit of the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:28-31). Jonah fainted from the sun's heat (Jonah 4:8). Desert wanderers faint from thirst (Psalm 107:5). Children and infants swooned in the streets during Jerusalem's siege (Lamentations 2:12, 19).

Key verses:Genesis 25:29-301 Samuel 14:28-31Psalm 107:5Jonah 4:8Lamentations 2:12

☩Emotional and Spiritual Fainting

Fainting also describes emotional and spiritual exhaustion. Daniel fainted and was sick after his vision (Daniel 8:27). Isaiah speaks of hearts grown faint from persistent sin (Isaiah 1:5). Fear causes hearts to melt and faint (Deuteronomy 20:8). Yet the psalmist's soul 'fainted' with earnest longing for God's salvation (Psalm 119:81) and God's courts (Psalm 84:2), showing that even intense desire can overwhelm.

Key verses:Deuteronomy 20:8Psalm 84:2Psalm 119:81Isaiah 1:5Daniel 8:27

☩Encouragement Not to Faint

The New Testament repeatedly encourages believers not to faint. Jesus taught that we should 'always pray and not faint' (Luke 18:1). Paul exhorts not to be 'weary in well doing' (Galatians 6:9) and not to 'faint' when we are rebuked of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5). The promise is that God gives power to the faint, and those who wait on Him shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:28-31).