I may look calm on the outside. But on the inside I’m frantically trying to digest ridiculous amounts of complex carbs without storing cellulite.
Time to up the metabolism, I’m thinking. Seems the logical fix would be coffee. That’s why I figure I’m helping things along if I drive through for a grande mocha latte with extra whip.
Someone told me that the average person drinks 22 gallons of coffee a year. I’ve also heard it said that the average person walks about 8,000 miles a year just going about the regular routine of everyday life. Surely that’ll work off that extra whip.
And it looks to me like we’re getting about 363 miles to the gallon. Talk about sustainability. Suddenly that four-dollar mocha is a responsible purchase, right?
Burning carbs is one thing. But burning out is another. In the stresses of going about the not-always-so-regular routine of Kingdom work, it’s easy to become not just over-whipped, but overworked, over-tired and overwhelmed.
Some of the complex warning signs of burnout? A soul-weariness—tiredness that rarely goes away. There’s a “spinning your wheels” frustration—feeling that though you’re running yourself ragged, you’re not really making a difference. Resentment builds and starts replacing the joy once found in working for Jesus. It’s difficult to love Him well and even harder to love His people. You find yourself fighting a strong desire to isolate yourself. Loneliness, negativity, cynicism and hopelessness creep in.
What do we do when we feel “whipped” – in the non-creamiest way? First, we run. We run to the only One who can heal a heart and refresh a spirit. If there’s sin in the way, we get rid of it. Spending time on our faces in prayer, getting truly honest with the Father, starts the healing. We immerse ourselves in His Word. It’s there we find direction, strength, wisdom and restoration. We determine to stay plugged into people and find a godly confidante. We were designed with a deep need for that people-connection.
It’s also good to take a look at the schedule and get rid of clutter. Get some rest. The truth is, God never calls us to do anything He doesn’t equip us to do. In essence, He won’t give you more miles to walk than He gives coffee to get you there. When we have more than we have time and energy to do, we’ve added to the to-do’s ourselves. As we pray through our schedule asking for direction, He is faithful to give wisdom in knowing where to back off and where to press on.
Our love and service for Him? In those we press on. Always.
I love the “press on” kind of encouragement found in Heb.10:35-36 in the Amplified Bible. “Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away – and enjoy to the full – what is promised.”
“Enjoy to the full.” I love that. Not only does it make me think of mocha, but it reminds me of the blessing in not giving up. He strengthens the tired heart. He’ll enable you to do everything you really need to do. “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thess.5:24).
Knowing it’s all His strength – that’s invigorating! More energizing than the strongest mocha. With never a carb left over.