I wasn’t here at 5 Minutes for Faith last month. It’s been a trying year and I found myself worn out, weary, and very tired. I kept trying to push forward, but that only adds to the exhaustion. So, I did something I don’t usually do…I asked for help. I e-mailed our editor here and she graciously gave me the month off.
As we’re in one of the busiest times of the year—between Thanksgiving and Christmas—I wonder if you might be in the same place…tired, weary, worn out, and still trying to push forward. If you are, I understand.
It often feels as though the load rests solely on our shoulders, and in truth, sometimes it does. We look around at everything going on and it all has to be done, right?
It’s not until the point of exhaustion when I realize my I-have-to-do-it-all view is flawed for two reasons.
First, if I really take a step back and review all that I’m trying to do, some of it probably doesn’t have to be done. Yes, it might mean asking for a break from a commitment or intentionally deciding to skip something. For me last month, it was one post, but it felt like One. More. Thing.
If one more thing is going to push you over the edge, it’s time to prioritize and ask for help.
During the holiday season, how many “have to be done” things are the one more thing pushing you toward the edge?
Decorating the entire house because we do it every year…except now, it leads to stress instead of enjoyment.
Buying gifts for everyone in the extended family…but the family has grown and so has the expense, adding more financial burden to an already strapped budget.
Tying to be everything to everyone…and finding yourself burned out, grumpy, and resentful.
If one more thing is going to push you over the edge, it’s time to reevaluate.
The second reason my I-can-do-it-all view is flawed is because it’s impossible. Regardless of how hard I try, I simply can’t do it all. Admitting it is the first step to trying-to-do-it-all recovery.
Admit it, then give yourself permission to step back. Why is it so hard to give ourselves permission to rest? We do it for others, while we push ourselves to the brink of collapse.
But friends, rest is Biblical. Jesus rested. He encouraged His disciples to rest.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31 NIV
Jesus encourages us to rest…before we reach the point of exhaustion.
We find it difficult to ask for help or admit we can’t do it all. We struggle with permission to take a step back and rest. But, we already have that permission…from the One who took time to rest Himself.
So, what about that one more thing you need to get done? Maybe this is the time to leave it undone.
If one more thing is going to push you over the edge, it’s time to let go and rest with Jesus—before you reach the point of exhaustion.
“Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.” ~ Jesus
Laura, Thank you for sharing your heart here. Resting in Jesus has been the one thing that carried me through some of my darkest hours. Praying He continues to meet each of your tired momma needs. Blessings and hugs!
Thanks for the reminder that there is a simple solution to the stress of everyday life. It may not always be an easy solution–stepping away–but it is a necessary simple one.
Such wisdom shared from the perspective of experience. It really is easy to get carried away with all the want-to’s and think-we-have-to’s this time of year. Thanks for the encouragement to rest when we need to and take a step back when necessary.
If one more thing is going to push you over the edge, it’s time to let go and rest with Jesus—before you reach the point of exhaustion. This is so profound that is why Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … Come to
me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. … Blessings Diana
Laura, I’ve missed you! I am so thankful you took a step back. I so understand the feelings of overwhelm. I’ve been near burn out so many times this year. I am still prioritizing so many things, asking God what He would have me to do. My prayer for both of us as that we would continue to lean in, to ask, and to listen. He wants us to enter into His rest continually. Life should not be a burden. Hugs!