Overcoming WearinessSample

WEARINESS OF THE SOUL (MIND)

Our mind has around 60,000 thoughts a day; of those thoughts, 85% are negative, and 98% are repetitive. That fact in itself sounds exhausting. The reality is so many of us are stuck in ruminating toxic thinking, which results in mental and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, when one lives with constant long work or study hours, overwhelming responsibilities, and devoting hours of mental energy to problem solving whilst living with prolonged stress and uncertainty, then weariness is inevitable. Burnout is the long-term fruit if one doesn't learn to change mental gears. Burnout is the ongoing state of feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained due to consistent stress in your work, family, or social responsibilities.

Ruth Hayley Barton, in her book Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, captures the driving reason behind the weariness of the soul. “One of the reasons solitude is so challenging is because most like to be in control of their lives all the time. The idea that I can do something about my challenges feeds a voracious appetite in us. That appetite is our ego or the false self, which identifies itself with the external accomplishments and achievements we have made. The real reason we resist moving into solitude may have more to do with the anxiety that comes as we pull away from that which we have allowed to define us externally.”

When our value is entangled in what we do, we will strive to earn it; added to that is the reality that we have inherited the knowledge of good and evil from the fall, which places us in a false sense of thinking we are god (Genesis 3:5).

Jesus encouraged us to come to Him when weary and carrying heavy burdens, and his promise is rest. The root meaning of rest here is to cease motion; it also means to be quiet with calm and patient expectation. The weariness of mind is resolved when we realize that life is not about fixing but letting go and inviting Him in. It is in that space that we quietly wait with patient expectation.

Letting go of the need to resolve and solve every tension we find ourselves in and instead handing it over to God in prayer is the formula for receiving a peace that God promises will guard our heart and mind, according to Philippians 4:6-7. He is very clear - don't worry; instead, pray. My encouragement is to invite the Creator of all things into your every thought, wrestle, fear or concern, We don't have to do this journey of life alone. That is amazing news.

Reflection:

• What are your biggest fears?
• What truth do you believe God wants you to hold onto in light of your fear?
• What are the fears you have about your value & worth?
• What truth do you believe God says about you?

Pray:

Lord, I pray for your peace; help my mind not be troubled or afraid. Please help me fix my thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Help me think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Amen.