(ISAIAH 40:28-31) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord for the hope we have in you. No matter the stage in life we are in or the challenges we face, we are grateful that we can turn to you as our source of everlasting strength.
Set up: There are times when we may feel like we’re on a hamster wheel in our daily existence. Other times we feel overbooked, too busy and overwhelmed. Have you ever been so tired you just felt like giving up? Ask yourself, is there anything I can do to prevent overexertion; are there areas of my life I need to reorganize?
Reflection questions during cool-down: Am I guilty of idolizing busyness? Do I rely on myself and others more than turning to God for guidance and strength
Take a moment to reflect on this reality: · Psychological tiredness is far more common than tiredness that’s caused by a physical problem. One key reason is anxiety, which can cause insomnia and, in turn, lead to persistent fatigue. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that nearly a third of the population is severely sleep-deprived, often because of job and money worries. The Foundation’s report, Sleep Matters, suggests a link between insomnia and low energy levels.
· The worries and strains of daily life can be exhausting – even positive events, such as moving house or getting married. Emotional shock, such as bad news, bereavement or the break-up of a relationship, can make you feel drained.
· Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety can make you feel more tired. They can also prevent you from getting a proper night’s sleep. At any given time, one in five people feels unusually tired, and one in 10 have prolonged fatigue, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Women tend to feel tired more often than men.
· “It’s unusual to find anything physically wrong. Most of the time, fatigue is linked with mood and the accumulation of lots of little stresses in life,” says Dr Shah. At any given time, one in five people feels unusually tired, and one in 10 have prolonged fatigue, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Women tend to feel tired more often than men. “It’s unusual to find anything physically wrong. Most of the time, fatigue is linked with mood and the accumulation of lots of little stresses in life.” (Dr Shah, NHS Choices 2015)
1.Try to examine finding how you engage God to find the strength to take on the issues of life whether it’s emotional, physical, or spiritual.
2. Please share your comments: how do you challenge yourself to rethink your schedule? Do you leave room for God?