Confession Time: (Mine, not your’s) I am the woman who is weary because she doesn’t rest. (But I’m learning to
change)
I wake early, work diligently through the day, and collapse into bed late at night. While my body tries to rest, my mind seems to get a second wind. Seriously–It never stops! CRAZY RIGHT?!?
MULTI-TASKING
Speaking of my mind…not only does it never stop…it is never on “just one thing” or “the task at hand”. Over the years, I have become a skilled mental and physical multi-tasker.
Tweet ThisCan you relate to any of this? I start out very well and treat each day and activity as a sprint with my first sip of coffee being my starting gun. I cram as much as possible in to my day, and rarely complete my “to-do list”. (Oftentimes I add more to my list as the day goes on- solid type A behavior I am told)
As my daily multi-tasking sprint continues, tiredness seeps in. I don’t slow down or stop.
I don’t slow down or pause for the needed rest. Over time this tiredness leads to me becoming overwhelmed and weary.
OVERWHELMED and WEARY
To the person unfamiliar with my personal roller coaster of ups and downs, the response of “I’m good, just overwhelmed” may seem to have little impact. To the people closest to me though, it is a response full of red flags and warnings.
It took years of struggling for me to recognize that I am in trouble when I begin using the word “overwhelmed”. When this word comes out of my mouth, I have moved from tired to weary. Once I hit weary… all activity STOPS. “Overwhelmed” is my safe word that keeps me from saying what I am really feeling. (Depressed, hopeless, incapable, like a failure.)
It becomes a burden to get out of bed. I withdraw from family, friends, and activity. I go to a dark place…not only with my presence but also in my mind.
The mind that typically is tallying the many things to be done, suddenly is focused on what a failure I am. Depression pricks at my mind looking for its way in while I am in this weary and vulnerable place.
THE CURE FOR WEARY
Its going to sound odd, but the cure is REST. Recognize what your mind and body are telling you. I am ashamed to say that “In my push through and get things done approach to life, I have never been good at this. To be honest, I am just now learning to listen to my body and responded in rest.
While rest is often times equated with sleep, they aren’t exactly the same thing. A person can most definitely sleep and not become rested.
As I try to figure out what rest is and honor its role in my life, I look to see what the bible has to say about it.
When I am weary from carrying the burden of my to-do list and other obligations and commitments, when I go to Jesus, He will give me rest. That brings peace to my mind that wants to fret and asks “But HOW do I rest”. Going to Jesus is pushing a pause button on the constant chatter and busyness. It may be soaking in some awesome worship music, praying, reading the bible, or going for a walk to connect with God’s creation.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
How does weariness show up in your life?
Do you have “Red Flag Key Words” like I do? What are they?
If you have mastered the art of RESTING…how do you do it? What works for you?
Linking up with the following groups this week:
#ThreeWordWednesday
http://3dlessons4life.com/ Thought-Provoking Thursday
Yes, I can definitely relate to this! Between being a wife and mom and running 4 businesses sometimes I feel like I am working 24/7. I have learned that must-tasking often means I’m not able to focus, so I am trying to block my time more and focus on one thing at a time. My days of rest often consist of a Netflix binge!
Thanks you Melissa. I LOVE a good Netflix marathon. I believe I am a little over due for one! 4 businesses…girl! You amaze me! The abilities that God gifts us women with to fulfill the Proverbs 31 multi-tasker role are a blessing, but it can definitely become double edged when we struggle to find balance and rest. Praying blessing and favor upon each of your endeavors!
It truly is important to rest. Self-care was one of the most important classes/things I took away from seminary. I am always reminded of how in the Bible we read “Be still and know that I am God.” If we are constantly going, we cannot truly experience God because we are too busy doing other stuff.
Tara, I recently read where “Be still” is translated more accurately into “Let go”. let go of what? Control, perfectionism, full schedules, the need to do it all? Let go and know that I am God… it has an unfamiliar peace to it.
I didn’t o to seminary, but I did get my Associates in Biblical Studies. Sadly they didn’t teach anything on self care. I am happy that your school treasured that truth and taught you how to do it effectively. Thanks for stopping by.
Ah yes… I am oh too familiar with the lure of multitasking and of simply pushing through, not paying attention to the signs and whispers to come away and enter in to His rest! Overwhelmed or Busy (followed by a correction of ‘Full’ –which still means busy!) are my red flags. I actually wrote a devotional book on Rest and am reading it aloud to a friend as she commutes. It turns out, it is speaking to my soul as if I had never heard of it before! Ironic, how often times our own writing comes back to minister to us!
I love how He uses the words He leads us to pen to speak hope into our dry weary souls sometimes. Thank you for stopping by and pray your day is a little less FULL.
Tammy, your word here are like a big AMEN to what God has been saying to my heart. My theme for the year is actually #ChooseRest. I am trying to focus on relationships, exercise, Sabbath, and Thanksgiving.
Lyli, Thank you for confirming the importace of rest. Praying you are able to keep balance in all the areas God is telling you to rest in.
Were you at my house yesterday? This week? Oh yes! I understand the brain that doesn’t stop until it’s overwhelmed. And yes, yesterday the Lord did replinish as I sat in His rest. It’s a concentrated effort to sit quietly and rest in Him – music often helps me – but it’s always one that offers a huge reward. Praying for you, Tammy, and myself too! Visiting via #livefreeThursday.
Isn’t it nice when we can connect with our humanness and support one another spiritually? Thank you so much for stopping by. It is always encouraging to know that we aren’t traveling this crazy path alone! Praying for the both of us as we embrace the stillness of God in our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Good words, Tammy. NEEDED words. You know I’m living this!! Usually … Time alone … Being still, especially with the Lord, feeds my spirit and allows me to recharge. But sometimes it’s hard to make happen. But it should be the priority!
Dianne, when things continue to pull at us that are completely beyond our control… thats when we take hope in the truths that God’s mercies are new each morning. There are times when we must push through without much rest. The key is to not allow that to be the norm. Looking forward to you being back home to find a resting place. (((HUGS)) and prayers for you on this journey- figuratively and literally.
So my phrase is ” I am tired but good.” which normally means., ” I am exhausted and wish this day is over.”. My problem is I go go go all day, put the kid down to bed, spend time with the husband and don’t actually do what I want to do until 9:30, 10:00 and stay up till 11 or 11:30 because I want to do what I want to do. It is frustrating sometimes. Something though I have been trying which is still a struggle is do nothing at night except read some verses or pray. That’s my heart but Facebook and Netflix seems so more appealing to me. anywho..a lot more then I tended to write but thank you for reminding me what I need to do tonight. visiting from Thankful Thursday
Kristina, Thank you for being so honest. After a full day, when the house is quiet…all I want to do is “check out”, and a good Netflix marathon helps me do just that. Sadly, it also leave me empty. Praying we both find balance!