Worn Out?

Courtesy of Morguefile.com

Come away by yourselves and rest awhile… Mark 6:30-32

Have you ever felt worn out?

We run the race in a fast paced world and often are forced to wear many hats. The demands we face can deplete us unless we have a plan to rejuvenate from time to time. The trick is to plan time to refresh ourselves before we begin to experience the burn-out so prevalent in our culture.

I’ve been on the brink one too many times. I don’t mean to let it get that far, but in my own strength I think, ‘just one more day’. But, one more day can mean the difference between strength and weakness. I’ve found it to be a false economy because once I burnout, it can take weeks or even longer to regain my strength.

Jesus tells the disciples in this passage, they need to rest. If you notice the events leading up to this statement, they had been ministering non-stop to the crowds—feeding, healing, delivering. And, it’s notable that though Jesus was God in the flesh, He still took time to get away alone with the Father to pray. He spent time alone before making big decisions. And, He was alone before beginning His ministry.

It’s easy to fool ourselves that we can do it alone. We can’t. John 15 tells us that we can do nothing apart from Him. Because of this, He sent His Spirit to give us power to be the witnesses He calls us to be (Acts 1:8). We need time in His presence to fill our cup with the power He provides. We can’t give from an empty vessel. It’s like letting our well run dry. It takes time to prime it again so it can work to capacity. Jesus says He is the Source of Living Water that will overflow our lives as we stay close to Him.

Jesus said, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I suggest a Getaway with God from time to time. A getaway is easy to plan and it will restore your soul and your strength.

Have you struggled with burnout? How have you regained your strength?

 

                                            Jeanne

 

 

For more information about burnout: signs, combating, take a look at his informative article. 

 

Battle Stations

A soldier on the front line is always on alert—they are ready for an attack—prepared with equipment and survival skills they work as a well trained team to face whatever the enemy launches at them.

In the same way, we as Christians are in the battle trenches of spiritual warfare. When we belong to God we face a daily enemy who seeks to thwart everything that God does. The enemy has lost us to the Light of the World, but this doesn’t stop him from trying to disrupt God’s purposes. The enemy will try his best to discourage and distract us from living as God intends…abundantly and with effectiveness.

As we discover what Scripture says about our enemy and about God, the One who is already victorious over Satan.  We learn that God has a plan for us and everything that happens to us, Romans 8:28 says, will work for our good. But the enemy will try to take those same things and work them for his own purposes—Ephesians 6:12 says he schemes against us. So it is important to see and react to things with God’s perspective with the knowledge of His working it all for good so that we don’t fall prey to the enemy’s tactic of discouragement.

We get weary from the stuff that goes on in our lives—physically and spiritually. But we will discover that there are things that we can do in the midst of the battles that will help us turn our eyes to the Lord and experience His deliverance. And, we will see the enemy routed by God’s mighty power.

Look at Ephesians 6:11-12 – Stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood…but against spiritual forces. 

Look at Jeremiah 29:11 – He (God) knows the plans He has for us… 

Look at Romans 8:28 – He (God) causes ALL things to work together for good...

Battles are part of the Christian’s walk because we are treading in the spiritual realm. We belong to God and the enemy is not happy about it. So he will do anything to thwart God’s work through deception, discouragement and distraction.

Just like those soldiers on the frontlines, we need to work together as a team to encourage and hold one another up, especially when facing intense battles. We have the weapons. We have the survival skills. And we have a Victor in Jesus Christ—who won the battle on Calvary’s cross.

Next time, we will take a look at some sources of our battles….

Until then, Stand Firm!!

Jeanne

* This is an excerpt from theBible study called, Battle Worn, Battle Weary: Finding Victory in Surrender

His Grace Is Enough!

My Grace Is Enough

 

I have had one of those weary weeks. My energy level is low. My to do list seems big. And, when those two things intersect, the enemy has a field day. He knows my places of vulnerability and it seemed as though every fragment of hurt and weakness rose to the surface saying, “Here I am, remember me?” That's when I needed to call an emergency meeting this morning—alone with God.

Unfortunately it isn't always my first reaction. Too often I slide easily into to self-sufficiency mode and try all the harder in my own strength to do it all. Wrong answer. The harder I try, the more that grace is squeezed out of the equation. I can do it. Of course, I don't really say that out loud, but that's what my heart hears as my brain kicks into survival mode.

Well, I can't do it! I can't do anything without Him who empowers me by His Spirit. I don't have any words of wisdom. I don't have any burden bearing capability. Without His life breathing Spirit I am empty inside, like the chaff of wheat that blows away. And when I try to go it alone, it is like becoming my own savior—like that's going to work!!?

Of course, God is so amazing. He timed a local women's retreat for this past weekend that I just 'happened' to sign up for (I truly believe in His sovereignty—He knew about my need before I did). The first thing I needed to do when I arrived was choose from a variety of mugs to use for the weekend. There it was, shades of pink with the word GRACE imprinted on the side. And, inside the rim the words from 2 Corinthians 12:9: My grace is enough. That evening I came face to face with my lackluster heart and knew I needed to surrender the stuff I had been holding onto.

So, as I unpack my baggage this morning, my heart feels a little lighter. I want to rest in His care, knowing that He will see to my needs. And, I want to be sure to kick the enemy in the backside because his condemnations are not valid in the presence of Christ. He is the father of lies and I refuse to be duped by his wily ways.

In Christ, I am forgiven; and so I can forgive. In my weakness, He gives me strength. I am set free by the blood of the Lamb and invited into the presence of God through His righteousness. Because His Grace is enough....

Jeanne