Overcommitment & Fatigue

For the last few months, when people ask me what my prayer requests are, it always seems to be around the topic of "wisdom for what to say yes to and what to say no to" and "that I would find balance".

As I read my devotion today, it's not like all my questions have been answered, but I was convicted by the reminder that we should take a day of rest (just like the Lord did). I used to have Sundays completely set aside for the Lord (with the exception of serving during church time)--and then the rest of the day was for rest, family, or Christian fellowship like my home fellowship.

Then, somewhere along the line, we (the church) started putting events on Sundays because that seemed to be the only day that people had time. Well of course they had time! They had it set aside for rest, and then it got filled with activity!

I don't have any answers for how to reclaim Sundays back as my day of rest----it's really the only day I can make officially a day of rest because I work MOn-Fri and need Saturday to do chores, errands, activities, etc.

So if you could please pray and help me know how to find some rest, I would really appreciate it! I want to know what the Lord wants me to be involved in, but I'm having a hard time hearing his voice. Thanks!--

HomeWord - Jan. 28, 2008

Overcommitment & Fatigue: A Deadly Sin

This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 RSV

We live in a culture which has often fooled us into believing that more is better and busyness is a virtue. Far too many people in our world are spiritually, emotionally, and physically bankrupt because they are overcommitted and fatigued. Vince Lombardi said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." The comedian Flip Wilson summed it up best for many of us when he said, "If I had my entire life to live over again, I doubt if I'd have the strength."

I don't believe that God wants us to be one step from a nervous breakdown, always on the edge of exhaustion. What's the answer? There are no easy formulas for success, but there are two suggestions that I want you to think about today.

1. Cut back and do less. If this means making less money, cutting back on your social obligations, or even taking a night off from church activities, then do whatever it takes to not be so overcommitted and fatigued. A friend of mine once told me, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."

2. Rest. Rest should be a nonnegotiable time in everyone's life. Even God rested! Exodus 31:17 says, "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed" (RSV). When we rest we get a proper perspective on our life. When we rest we can reflect on what has taken place in our life during the week. Does your life have control of you, or do you have control of your life? Rest and reflection will help you answer that important question.

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GOING DEEPER:
1. What does it mean to "wait for the Lord," as written in Isaiah 40:31. What does this verse tell us is the result of waiting for the Lord?
2. Today take an evaluation of your fatigue and over commitment level. If you are spiritually, emotionally, or physically bankrupt, then it is time to cut back, do less, and rest. What is the next day you have scheduled to relax?
FURTHER READING :
Luke 18:1, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Psalm 103:5, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Hebrews 12:1-3