The beautiful thing is that we have authority over our emotions, so they don't HAVE to run us, or our day. But I am finding that practicing good self-care is important for us. We have got to keep the consistency of eating healthy, exercise, and sleep if we want to be functioning in good order-- and after all, God is a god of order.
Did I mention I have spilled my coffee THREE times this morning. For real, who does that?
While on the topic of exhaustion, I think it is important that we consider what is exhausting us. It is important that we are serving the Lord above all else, and that means that He gets all of us. After we give all of ourselves to Him, He then decides where we place our investment, energy and time. If we are pouring into something that is not of Him, or that He has not directed us to, then we are essentially throwing our pearls to the swine. If something in your life is sucking your energy and time that isn't of Him, then you can expect to run on empty. However, if we are exhausted by being obedient and doing what He has asked us to do, then He is faithful to restore us and bring all we need to continue in obedience.
Don't let anxiety, worry, or any other emotion that opposes truth steal what the Lord has for you. Do not let it steal your energy and time. We are to rest in peace with the Lord because we know that when we are in His will by obedience, then everything is taken care of. It is when we step out of His guidance that anxiety and despair are more fitting emotions. If you are unsure about His will, you seek Him and you ask Him to make it clear to you. You seek godly counsel and you wait on the Lord to provide direction. God is faithful and He says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. So seek with all of you, and He promises you will find Him. He will show you His will. A good friend of mine recently said to me, "God doesn't play games. He isn't going to trick you. If you seek Him, He will let you know the path He wants you to take." And we can have peace while seeking His will because we know that He sees our hearts. If your heart truly is to obey Him, then He is already taking care of the rest. Sometimes at night as I lay awake I think, "But God I don't have all the answers to this, I still don't have a grasp on this issue or a plan or know what to think or do about it." He says to me, "And you don't have to. Trust me that I have got all of this under control. I see your heart, I know your desire. Let me take care of everything." It is then that I can remember the burden is not mine to carry, because He already has everything figured out. A beautiful plan is already in place that is for His glory and my care. He will take care of it. I just get to be that little kid in the huge parking lot that has no clue where the car is. All I have to do is hold daddy's hand while He navigates me through the chaos. He knows exactly where He is going. I get to rest in His knowledge, and the fact that He loves me and cares for me. He isn't going to leave me stranded somewhere. He is faithful to care and love for His children.
"Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep".
You are His beloved. He gives you sleep so that you can accomplish what it is that He asks of you. If something is stealing our sleep or our ability to peacefully rest in Him, that isn't by His design. Some adjustment needs to happen.
