Part 1. 10 Things: Have you lost your colour? ( Series: Being Tired)

Maybe you don’t know that you’ve lost your colour… 

Are you tired? Beyond tired? Or even just “tired of being tired?” (Jess Connolly’s book).

We all experience tiredness in some way, shape, or form. Some may experience the physical tiredness of a busy schedule, others are emotionally exhausted because of a series of events, while some of us have also experienced, what almost feels like the point of no return - we don’t know how to function without being tired anymore. It’s become second nature and a part of our everyday lives. 

Wherever you are on the spectrum of exhaustion, you are not alone.

I believe it’s such a crucial thing to pinpoint why we are tired, so that we can continue healing in the areas that are probably causing us to stay tired. 

So, here is a new blog post this week… and it looks different to my previous ones but if you are up for it, I want us to go on a journey over the next weeks (however long the Lord takes us on this road) to really 

identity, share, understand what ‘being tired is,’ what burn-out is and let the Lord guide us in finding simple solutions for making the every day part of our lives full of colour again.

I would encourage you to follow along because it might coming in handy for you and I’m 95% sure that you have family friends, spouses, co-workers etc. who are tired.

The simple truth is, the rat race isn’t slowing down… it’s only speeding up. 

So, let’s learn what it means to be the opposite of tired all the time… to learn to be rested, refreshed, and energised. 

‘10 things I’m learning about burn-out’

1. It’s an overused word sure, but realising that you are exhausted, depleted, and perhaps even that you lost your spark for life is the first step of moving forward to recovery.

2. You can’t fix it! So, don’t try to.

3. It’s a process! Don’t be so hard on yourself. Let God show you the way and convict you of the areas where growth is required.

4. It’s okay to set boundaries. When we do, we create better rhythms and patterns of rest so that we can give more fully with cups that overflow instead of giving only realising later that we are exhausted in a draining sense.

5. You have to know your limits. It’s not a bad thing… sometimes we need to push through because God has asked something of us, but other times it’s a matter of seeking His wisdom and asking Him in the day to day what He is asking of us. 

6. In order for us to live from a heart of rest, we must know that Jesus is enough… otherwise we are constantly striving, hoping, and trying to be good enough. But do you know what? We will never be good enough. It’s only by the grace of God that we are. Jesus made us worthy. Jesus is enough, therefore I can rest (ideas from Christy Nockels book, ‘The Life You Long For,’ and Jennie Allen’s book, ‘Nothing to Prove’). 

7. Do not become a victim of claiming tiredness. Sure, you are tired and it’s good to set boundaries and know your limits but don’t stay there. Be tired, find good rest, then good balance and tools to live from that rest even when life is busy or when circumstances are challenging. for that matter, even when you are tired, seek the Lord about restoration and don’t let the enemy keep you tired long-term.

8. Just as you think you are on the other side of tired, you hit a ‘rock bottom moment’ and it’s okay. It reminds you that you don’t have to carry it. God is with you in the midst of it. So let Him be with you, and allow His presence and time with Him to restore your soul. 

9. I’m learning when comfort is a good thing and when it is not. Is it refreshing my soul? Is it bringing inner peace? Or am I avoiding true rest?

10. I’m learning the differences in understanding when to stand and when to sit. When you wait or when to run and do what God has asked. 

These are only but a few and next week I will share 10 more things that I am learning about burn-out. I hope it can encourage you that you are not alone in this. Someone understands and even more than that… Someone much greater than the here and now formed you, knows the most inward part of you, and wants to restore you… let God do that for you. We know that full restoration will not come in this life time because we live in a fallen world but one day, we will be fully restored. In the meantime, I believe He has given us wonderful tools and wisdom through His Word and by understanding it, we might better bet able to live from a  heart of rest even when life throws the craziest of storms, of traumas, of grief, of pain, and suffering at us. I wish none of this upon anyone but I know many of us experience some or all of these and my friend, Jesus is the answer. 

He can heal the parts of you that you never thought would ever see the light of day again.

Lord, we pray Your will be done and ask for Your hand to guide us as we uncover the things that keep us in this constant cycle of being tired. Help us to turn to You for help and strength. In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen. 

Until next week, we’re on this journey together of restoration from tiredness, to living from true rest in spite of the curve balls in this life.

All my love,

Jessie