OVERVIEW
When your soul is tired, sleep doesn't help anyway! Do you agree?
"That was a cold rainy night as I was moving back and forth, while on my bed trying to fall asleep. I remember that I've closed my eyes 30 minutes ago but it looks like my mind was still wide awake.
I haven't been sleeping since I woke up nor drink coffee the whole day. I am so exhausted and all I ever wanted is to rest now."
Sounds familiar?
It's not just your thoughts that keep you awake at night; sometimes you can't sleep because you're so tired, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Have you ever feel so drained in life? I believe that once in your life you have experienced the same thing. Feels like you've lost all your energy and you don't have enough motivation to fight. Even though there is, just the thought of climbing the ladder makes you feel worn out. You're easily angered, you're not moving, you're barely breathing, you are hopeless.
That weariness or fatigue is an indication that you need to recharge yourself - your soul.
Lao Tzu says:
"He who talks more is sooner exhausted."
Mark Buchanan says:
"Most of the things we need, to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest. "
Our weariness often is a result of putting much time or effort into the worries and bustle of this world. Stop talking, stop arguing, why not take a pause. If you'd like to reach more dreams, if you want to feel alive, take time to rest, stop draining your soul!
HERE ARE 6 WAYS TO RECHARGE AND HEAL YOUR SOUL:
1. OPEN UP / TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS
This is where your trusted friends come in. Open up to those who really care, like your parents, Godly friends, siblings, mentor, or pastor. Do not fight your battles alone. Do not detach from these important people in your life, they could pray for you!
I understand, sometimes it is easier to be quiet and just work on things alone, to solve your problems on your own. However, it is going to drain you. Your pride or ego cannot save you. And remember opening up is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you are brave! Brave enough to ask for help and be vulnerable in front of others. But don't just talk to anybody else, you're matured enough to recognize who are those people you need to talk to. Because if you talk to the wrong people, their solution may not be right for you, or your situation might get worst. As it is said in:
1 CORINTHIANS 15:33
"Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
2. FORGIVE THOSE WHO HURT YOU
Being hurt is one of the reasons why you feel drained. Not only pain and unforgiveness are stealing your freedom and joy, but it also gives you a burden to carry on that makes you feel worn out.
JOHN MASON says:
"The heaviest load you can possibly carry is a pack of grudges. So if you want to travel far and fast, then travel light. Unpack all of your envy, jealousy, unforgiveness and fear."
Maybe you were rejected, criticized, or abandoned. But learn to forgive those people who have hurt or offended you. In doing so, you're setting yourself free from stress and you're unloading the negativities, bitterness, and resentment on the other side.
JOHANN LAVATER says:
"He who has not forgiven an enemy has never yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life."
You may ask the Lord to help you forgive and see the good in others. He is faithful to heal your heart and give you rest.
3. EXPRESS YOUR LOVE AND APPRECIATION TO OTHERS
HENRY DRUMMOND once said that:
"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love."
However, nowadays, it looks like it is easy to hate than to show love. Why is it always difficult to love? Selfishness! Don't you know that being self-centered is very tiring, why? Because when it is always about you, satisfaction won't last, eventually you will feel empty and alone. It says in:
ROMANS 12:10
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
I don't know about you but for me, when you help, love, and appreciate others, it caused a feeling of happiness and well-being. A sense of self-fulfillment and joy. It is really true that if you do good to others, you're investing in yourself as well. You may not see it now but you're planting good works and it will grow soon enough.
4. COME TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Tired? Pray! Be away from the world and come to the presence of God. You will never experience true peace and rest but only in God's arm. It is said in:
MATTHEW 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
MATTHEW 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Prayer is a battle and God's presence is worth fighting for! Your time with the Lord is very important to truly renew your strength. If we often spend time chatting or talking to our loved ones or friends, why not we can't talk to God? It often takes humility to give your burdens to the Lord. You can only enter the presence of God in focus and humility.
Nothing compares to the peace that God gives. He alone can give you fire to continue again in life and have hope. It is okay to cry out and be honest to God, He sees your heart, He sees you're tired. He wants to give you rest.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 (NIV)
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16 (GNT)
"For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day."
5. EAT AND RELAX
Yes, you heard it, you must eat! Our body and mind will not function well if we're hungry. Food is one of our basic needs just like sleeping. We must eat to regain strength, it is a necessity. Look at this passage about Elijah, the Lord's
prophet:
1 KINGS 19:4-6
4 "While he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
6 And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again"
See! Amazing! The Lord already knew what you need. Just like Elijah, he was a prophet and he's also a human, just like us. He also felt tired and even got suicidal however God showed up.
Maybe you also feel the same or maybe now, you're dead. Your hope is dead. Your faith is dead. Your dreams are dead. But God is telling you, Get up and eat! God still wants to use you. He still wants to bless you. There's more in life!
6. UNWIND / WORRY LESS
What is unwind? Believe it or not, this must be one of my favorite words! Unwind means loosen up or relax after a period of work.
I usually visit a peaceful place when I feel swallowed up by so many things. Just a view of the lake, trees, and the sky is fine for me. I don't have to go out of town, for some, they call it sweet escape. For me, it is a time to be free from worries and just appreciates God's creation.
Worry on the other hand consumed your energy and time that makes you tired. "Instead of worrying what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create", as per Roy T. Bennett.
What does the bible say about worry?
MATTHEW 6:34
"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of its own."
How many times the Lord reminded us not to worry about the things of this world. If we worry, it means we didn't trust God. But if we come to Him in prayer and believe in His Word, our worries and anxiety will immediately disappear!
FINAL THOUGHTS
THERE MAY BE TIMES THAT WE FEEL WORN OUT AND DRAINED,
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO RECHARGE YOUR SOUL.
TAKE TIME TO REST. UNLOAD YOUR BURDENS.
LOVE MORE, APPRECIATE MORE.
WORRY LESS FOR GOD IS IN CONTROL.
GOD BLESS!
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