Exhaustion! It is so so real.
We’ve all been there…
telling ourselves at 1 am just one more hour of studying for tomorrow’s exam… rereading that paper over and over because we swear we can make it a little bit better… fighting to keep our eyes open in that late-afternoon meeting… drinking that 3rd cup of coffee so we can get everything done before tomorrow… running around all day trying to check off everything on our mile-long to-do list…
It’s a great thing to be so hard-working and so determined to accomplish all the things we set our minds to. But the truth is, we can’t do everything… at least not all at once.
Every now & then… our minds need rest & our bodies need to recover.
I read a quote on Pinterest once that has stuck with me… “If you want to stop feeling burned out, quit living like you’re on fire.” Simple, but somewhat convicting.
We can find ourselves exhausted for a variety of reasons…
- lack of sleep
- lack of fuel – food, water, electrolytes, etc.
- sickness
- lots of physical exertion
- business – working & doing things all day…
- paralyzed from too much to do…
- mental health & emotions – stress, anxiety, sadness…
- too much change…
- just in a rut… can’t find the energy or the motivation…
Whatever the reason… the Lord tells us in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
We all like to think our bodies are invincible, but I’m here to remind you of the importance of rest. Our minds and bodies are both influenced by the other… so if you never allow your body to recover, your brain will also struggle & if you never let your mind shut off to refuel, your body will also suffer.
The Lord instructs us, on multiple occasions, to “be still“. And while this is much easier said than done, it is invaluable advice. It is advice we can (& should) practice with our minds, bodies, & souls.
Here are a few ways to show yourself grace & rest…
- take a nap
- watch a few episodes of your favorite TV show
- start reading that new book
- take a day off from the gym
- get in bed a little earlier than usual
- let yourself sleep in
- turn your notifications off
- order take-out
- make a list for tomorrow… and leave it for tomorrow… stress & all
Reminders for when it feels like burn-out is creeping in…
- your rest is more valuable than your work or wealth.
- a healthy & rested mind and body acts according to wisdom, while a tired mind and body acts according to exhausted emotion.
- don’t waste your time of rest feeling guilty for needing it.
- one of the healthiest forms of rest is the giving of grace… giving seemingly undeserved favor – to yourself & others.
- don’t sacrifice your rest because you’re too afraid to let go of guilt, shame, & resentment. it is not worth it.
- a tired body leads to a tired mind & a tired mind leads to a tired body.
- you deserve rest. you need rest. you are worthy of rest.
Questions for self-reflection…
Use these questions as journaling prompts or just consider them in your head… use your answers to readjust your priorities, fine tune your routines, & craft your prayers.
