“The Lord gives strength to the weary, and strengthens the weak. Even the young are weary and weary, and stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
I don’t know about you, but my email is flooded with offers promoting everything from multi-million dollar business ideas to the world’s best supplements and everything in between. I was hesitant to email my subscribers for fear of creating even more confusion.
Less than a month into the new year, everyone seems to be running at breakneck speed on the treadmill of life. Unfortunately, it won’t be long until all sprinters are exhausted and running on fumes.
what about you? Have you started the new year in a hurry and still feel tired at the end of the first week? This year it’s tempting to join in on the frenzy, but I decided to walk at a new pace. It’s a simpler, gentler pace set by the Holy Spirit calling me to stop, look, and listen.
Just as we teach our children how to cross the road safely, God puts His loving hand before me to prevent me from running into the road. I love this visual. The Lord stands with us at the curb of opportunity and lets us know when it is safe to cross.
If you’ve been sprinting since January 1st and are already running on fumes, here are some things you can do to follow God’s guidance and slow down.
Identify what is meaningful and what is meaningless
Since we are accustomed to ascribing the Psalms to David, it may be surprising to learn that Psalm 127 was written by his son Solomon. It begins with the words, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the labor of those who build it is in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise early and rest late, that you worry and toil and eat your bread, for God gives sleep to those who love you” (Psalm 127:1-2).
This passage reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon writes in a state of despair: “It’s all pointless. It’s all pointless. What good is it for a man to work hard under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).
One of the wisest kings in history seemed to be running on a cloud of smoke himself. Even though he had wealth, pleasure, and everything his heart desired, he still struggled to find peace. And God’s peace sustains us through it all. Amen?
When our priorities are mixed up, we end up spending a lot of time and energy chasing things to satisfy ourselves. But over time, this can lead to fatigue and even burnout. Discerning what is meaningful and what is meaningless is a great way to slow down and step into exactly what God has called you to do.
Here are some questions to help you prioritize.
-What gives you energy? What is sapping your energy?
-What are three things you can (or should) let go of today?
-What would you like to start doing this week?
-Who are the people closest to you? How do you prioritize them?
-Are you spending time with God? How can you increase your time with God?
As Solomon said, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builder’s labor is in vain.” This reminds us that in all the work we do, in all the efforts and efforts we do, it is meaningless without God’s favor and blessing.
Reevaluate what’s consuming your time and attention and eliminate unnecessary activities. By freeing up your schedule, you’ll eventually be able to breathe deeply again without feeling overwhelmed by meaningless external pressures.
Tweak your goals and throw away the rest.
Recently, I tried a journaling exercise where I made a list of 50 things I wanted to do, do, or be in the next year. When I reviewed my list, I felt a little overwhelmed that I might never achieve my “dreams”. But when I narrowed it down to a few key goals, the finish line began to appear.
If you’re feeling unfocused and overwhelmed, it may be time to tweak your dreams and narrow your horizons. Even if you can’t think of 50 things you want to do, do, or be, write down 10. Circle the top three and start there.
Some goals are listed below.
– Travel to places you’ve never been before
-Volunteer in local ministries and community service activities
-Join a hiking club
-Start a blog
Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may test and approve what is the will of God, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Prayerfully fine-tuning our dreams reveals areas in which we have conformed to the way the world thinks and does things. It helps us refocus our minds on God’s will and eliminate what doesn’t belong. And once you’re clear about what’s most important, you can move forward without exhausting yourself with extra things.
Fuel up for your journey
The push for self-care has exploded in recent years, and it’s no surprise. I’m not talking about self-indulgence here, but rather the daily care of our mind, spirit, body, and spirit. After all, we are born multifaceted humans and need a multifaceted approach to stay energized for the journey.
If you’re running on a fume, schedule some self-care on your calendar, such as:
-afternoon nap
-Walk outside
– Dates with spouse and time with friends
– A personal retreat for rest and prayer
If it’s not on your calendar, it probably won’t happen. Treat these appointments as “can’t-miss” appointments to keep you energized and energized.
After all, the world is full of fast-paced offers that urge us to “take action” and “sprint towards success.” But there is a gentle pace set by the Holy Spirit that invites us into sweet communion with Him. Will you take some time today to hear God’s still small voice telling you to stop, look, and listen?
Prayer for those running through smoke:
Merciful God, bless anyone reading this today, someone who is exhausted from being pulled in so many different directions. Lord, you know their situation better than anyone else. Please break through the noise and draw them into your peaceful presence. Call them deep into the meadow, near still waters. There they can think clearly and realign with Your will. Help us eliminate unnecessary things and find joy in important goals. Fuel them with your Holy Spirit, breathe new life into them, and give them strength for their journey. In the name of Jesus, amen.
More resources for your journey:
Prayer to God to lead you through the exhausting stages of life
Prayer for when you’re tired, exhausted, and ready to give up
How to renew your faith when you’re tired
Photo credit: ©Aaron Amat
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and a regular contributor to LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com, where you can find her books and subscribe to her weekly post, “Disappointment Can’t Win.” She lives with her family near her favorite place on earth, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
