Burned Out
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25
What is the measure of success? What is the measure of self-worth, purpose, fulfillment? Doing your part; “making your mark?”
Hospitality, serving others, opening your home giving of yourself and your resources; never saying "no." Is that enough?
Hard work. Giving your best at your job. Putting in the hours, busting your butt to get ahead, climb the ladder, provide a good income. Is that enough?
Volunteering in your church, serving in ministry, setting up chairs, organizing church functions, leading children's church, being a greeter, tithing, sharing your testimony, being on the worship team. Is that enough?
Fulfilling your life's purpose, self-imposed, divinely appointed, or otherwise? Following up every opportunity, exhausting every resource, mentally strategizing how you can get your foot in the door. Is that enough?
Being a homemaker, giving up your career to raise children at home, preparing homemade meals, playing ball, coloring pictures, dancing in the kitchen, organizing birthday parties complete with cutsie decorations. Is that enough?
You may identify with a few or a lot of these. But if you're like me, the question of success and doing your best creep into everyday thoughts uninvitedly. They take up residence and begin to draw into question your abilities. The pressure to succeed, excel, and do so with grace and confidence is immense.
At this point failure feels both not an option and inevitable. You're depleted, burned out, swimming upstream, overextended, overwhelmed, and incapable of giving your best to anyone or any endeavor.
Balance. The allowance to say “no” when it's not a good choice for you or your family. The liberty to take a long bath in solitude, a family vacation, a date night.
I had a conversation with a friend recently about how taking time for yourself or confessing that you need a “break” or need to step back often paints you as weak, lazy, and/or delicate [emotionally fragile]. And if those around us aren't thinking that, then it's the lies that are perpetuated in our minds from our fast-paced, one-upmanship culture. But it's all lies from the pit of hell.
God created us with a built-in need for rest. We can push our bodies pretty far, but at some point we must sleep, we must refuel and refresh. The bible says God created man in His image. It also says on the seventh day of creation He rested.
We need balance. For physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational health - balance is essential.
Love one another, be hospitable, do your best at your job, serve your community and your church, be a rockstar mom, pursue your purpose, and live for Jesus, YES; but if we're truly desiring and striving to be like Him then we need to find a balance between serving and resting : Even Jesus went up on the mountain to get some solitude (Matt. 14:23); rowed out into a boat to gain personal space from the crowds (Mark 3:7-9); took time to himself upon hearing difficult news (Matt. 14:13); preached from a boat on the lake to avoid the crowds (Matt. 13:1-3); he got up before everyone else to pray by himself (Mark 1:35); he encouraged his apostles to do the same (Mark 6:31-32).
The most beneficial rest we can give ourselves, following Jesus’ example, is spending time with God. The one who knows are soul and the inner-workings of our being because He created each one of us, specifically, intentionally, and consequently knows exactly what we need most. Read the Bible, pray, sing, listen to worship music, journal, thank Him, listen to biblical-based podcasts,.. Nothing refreshes our spirit like the Holy Spirit.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Determine the balance between giving your best and preserving time to rest. In doing so you'll also preserve your ability to give your best. I encourage you to ask God what a balanced life looks like for you. Are there activities, events, acts of service that have become an unhealthy area that He'd like you to simplify, rethink, or cut? Maybe you need to restructure or reassess your goals both personal and objective.
Lastly, take c o n f i d e n c e - if you are giving your best within the boundaries of a balanced lifestyle, rebuke those lies of inadequacy and self-doubt! Refuse to give them a voice, i.e. power, and crush them in the name of JESUS.