Overcommitment & Fatigue: A Deadly Sin
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 RSV
I don't believe that God wants us to be one step from a nervous breakdown, always on the edge of exhaustion. What's the answer? There are no easy formulas for success, but there are two suggestions that I want you to think about today.
1. Cut back and do less.
If this means making less money, cutting back on your social obligations, or even taking a night off from church activities, then do whatever it takes to not be so overcommitted and fatigued. A friend of mine once told me, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
2. Rest.
Rest should be a nonnegotiable time in everyone's life. Even God rested! Exodus 31:17 says, "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed" (RSV). When we rest we get a proper perspective on our life. When we rest we can reflect on what has taken place in our life during the week. Does your life have control of you, or do you have control of your life? Rest and reflection will help you answer that important question.
9 comments:
Sorta follows on with the theme from Fridays devo. I really like the quote about if the devil can't make you bad, he will make you busy. So true. It reminds me of that story I sent around once about My Heart, Christ's Home in which the guys walks right by Jesus in the study in the morning to busy to sit and chat. My prayer is that we all learn to wake up and somehow place our focus on Christ!
cas
ps - thanks for all the posts, believe that was the most post we have had in one day in a long time. keep it up, it certainly was encouraging.
This really hits home with me. I battle constantly with going back and forth between fatigue and overworking. I would admittedly say that my life and schedule has control over me most days, and only some days do I take the reins.
Father, help show me how and where to cut back,
crb
read it
On vacation in FL with the family "relaxing" and not being too busy
good for you dsc. enjoy
I must admit that my life often controls me as well.
Lord, help me find balance in my life.
Amen, LT
well - guess the fact that i am posting at 5:40pm and have looked at this blog in my inbox all day says something about me. honestly, i dont know what to cut to make more time. between the necessities of work, traffic (driving to/from work), dinner, it seems to be full. then add in bills and normal "chores" and it is tough. then add in a regular bible study, blog, prayer with wife, etc and i feel like things are a big "to do" list. i think i am trying to get into a routine that encompasses family, work, health/fitness, spiritual. if i can get a good pattern for these, and i do mean a true consistent pattern, then the rest will fall into place when it can.
Ever remember the days when you slept all day. Then the demands came:work, family, bills or chores, running the kids everywhere. These are not bad things but as long as we don't loose sight of God's word and we make sure we take time for ourselves and our spiritual fitness then we can overcome the fatigue. It's about doing the same but with a purpose!
I may not know much, but trying to start your day in the word has got to help. Learning to use breath prayers like those mentioned in Purpose driven have to help. learning to rely on God is a must
cas
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