Life these days.
I don't know about you, but between life being busy and life just being exhausting, I am TIRED.
How 'bout you?
The Webster's Dictionary definition of TIRED is: drained of strength and energy : fatigued often to the point of exhaustion.
Does that sound like you??
I know in this time of trying life and world events, and in this time of slowing down and attempting to have growth has given me an opportunity to look
As a person, I have needs that I hold and manage. As a wife, I hold my husband's needs. As a mom, I hold my family. As a therapist, I hold others. I recently saw a quote that therapists hold an extraordinary amount of pain, grief, loss and rage for our clients. This statement holds true for my friends. My family. And my self. Yet, who holds me?? The keeper and holder of alllllll the things??
Sometimes it is no wonder why I am so very tired. Then, I remember that I am a "helper." On the Enneagram, I am a 9. The Helper. The Peacekeeper. As a 9, I tend to view myself as not very important and I avoid conflict. So when other people need something, I give to them. I often forget the value of giving to myself. Self care. I tend to be stubborn and feel selfish doing what I want to do, but I want more than anything else to have a day to do JUST what I want to do.
When I am aware of how tired I am, I am often in a crabby, not nice place. (Ask my family- they can tell you!) THis is my sign that I am over worked, over tired and spent. I am not taking time for me and self care (things that care for my body and soul!). One of the ways that I constantly have to come back to is asking where is my prayer life? What am I doing to cultivate my relationship with God? The Bible says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.”
~Matthew 11:28-30
In this crazy and trying time, even in the midst of the lack of busy, we are often still tired. Drained. Worn out. Despite life being on hold in m any cases. God is here to restore and take care of our souls. To care for us in ways that we cannot do alone. As the carrier of (seemingly) all things, I often don't have many people to go to. To vent to. To help me carry the burdens that I often carry. My husband knows his role in helping me in my self care. My friends are often too busy and have their own stresses and burdens to help me carry mine. I have to bring my joys and my stress to God, the one who can carry all things!
I love the holistic approach of God. He created our bodies to heal itself with the right tools. He gave us the tools, through Prayer, through natural remedies, through exercise, through the power of relationships- both people and God himself! My question that I always ask myself and that I challenge you with as well is how are you embracing all the holistic tools to grow- both physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally? God desires us to come to Him and trust Him. Luckily, He can hold all that we have when sometimes we can't, or shouldn't, hold it all.
