Bye bye exhaustion.

Good day lovely people

Today I would like to remind us all of the importance of REST! Getting GOOD rest is essential for the body to function properly as well as healthily. And I am not only referring to physical health, but also MENTAL and spiritual health as they are all interconnected. I feel that if one area of your life is out of balance it causes a knock on effect into other departments of your life.

Some words of counsel.

1. DO NOT over do it: Overworking can rapidly lead to burnout and affect your mental well-being. I saw the effects of this on my personal life as I took on extra hours to help the health service during the pandemic. Late finishes/late nights and early mornings are not a good combination. Running on a limited amount of sleep, or continuously messing up your sleep pattern can cause you to become very snappy very very quickly. A poor sleeping pattern can cause irregularities with ones circadian rhythm, which can further lead to health ailments such as digestive issues, headaches, dry eyes, abnormal blood pressure as well as mood swings etc!

2. When it’s time to rest REST: Try not to plan a million and one activities during your time off, otherwise you will end up feeling tired after annual leave (vacation) and wonder why? Lack of adequate rest leads to exhaustion. Sometimes there is a need to plan out how you will achieve getting good rest. For example limiting tasks to one a day and ensuring that the task is simple and not overbearing. Take a day to just chill out, eat good food, exercise, and get 8 hours of sleep in! These are just suggestions and not rules.

3. Don’t feel ashamed to ADMIT that you’re struggling or exhausted: Sharing your burdens with the right people can lead to relief, you’d be surprised to discover the supportive people God has placed around you. Have faith that God will bring the right people across your path to encourage you during moments of distress.

4. Talk to God: It’s very easy for one to get caught up in what’s not going right with them, to the point that one neglects quiet time with God. When we cut out quiet time with God thinking it’ll help matters by saving time, we actually make things worse. Conversing with God also involves LISTENING to Him. That includes listening to Him when He says stop, slow down, and take a break. I’m guilty of doing doing doing and not stopping at times. It’s great to work hard but not at the expense of your health, time with loved ones, and your relationship with God!

5. Take time out if you need to: Even if it’s for 5 minutes STOP if you have to. You do not want to get so angry to the point you explode and sin in your actions. I remember a recent time when I sat in my car for a few minutes and spoke on the phone with my sister in order to gain some words of wisdom. Do it if you have to, TRUST me. It’s far better to do so than to flip out on a colleague or family member. If you need to take the odd day off during the week as annual leave in order to stay sane (emotionally and psychologically well balanced), please JUST DO IT. [Ephesians 4:26 ~ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry].

6. Spend time with your family: I just LOVE me some family time. It’s so sacred and precious. Utilise every moment you have with the ones you love, have a conversation don’t rely on watching tv together once in a while, COMMUNICATE. And family is not necessarily made up of individuals related by blood. Church family is also family and the Bible states that ‘we should not forsake the gathering of God’s people’ (Hebrews 10:25).

Scriptures.

1 Chronicles 26:13 ~ “They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots.”

A great way to initiate family bonding is to serve in church together. Wether it be one Sunday a month volunteering to help clean up after the church service, or providing a meal once in a blue moon for the congregation or those in need.

1 Chronicles 9:33 ~ “The musicians, all prominent Levites, lived at the Temple. They were exempt from other responsibilities since they were on duty at all hours.”

The musicians were exempt from carrying out other responsibilities! One individual alone cannot do everything by themselves. It’s essential to share workload and get all hands on deck! This is why I say it’s great to serve as a family so you can help one another.

The closing passage for today’s post is Jethro’s wise advice to his son-in-law Moses.

Exodus 18:13-14 ~ The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

Exodus 18:17-23 ~ “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

So openly express if you feel weary, don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about admitting you’re tired, we mustn’t forget that we cannot do everything all alone. Let us formulate the habit of casting our burdens onto the Lord and admitting we’re in need of His divine help.

Take care, have a great day, and God bless.

Love from

Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart