Heeding my own Advice
“Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.”
~ Psalm 55:1-3 (ESV)
Stress, burn-out, frustration, exhaustion…I don’t like these words; or the feeling for that matter. I have been feeling all four (and more) over the last couple of weeks. Some stress is work-related, other stress is self-inflicted. The stress as work, well there is not much I can do about. We are reorganizing the department and will break out in ‘divisions’ in the near future. Currently we are doing a lot more work, but hopefully that will change in the near future.
Self-inflicted stress–that is a different story. You see, I like to encourage people. The problem is that if I don’t fill my own cup, I can not encourage others. Because of ‘double-duty’ at work, I really had not time to refresh myself with Scripture. I left early in the morning to get an early start at work; I took no lunch break. I only had time to read snippets here and there. On Saturdays I was so exhausted, I didn’t feel like doing anything, but to veg out…
My exhaustion and stress got so bad that I had a constant headache over the last week. I was totally listless–I couldn’t think straight. Even my shopping-spree on Saturday didn’t snap me out of it!!!!
I finally figured out my problem. Like a huge DUH affect! I forgot about a major part in my life – reading Scripture! Sure I prayed, but I didn’t sufficiently fill my cup with His refreshing water on a daily basis. I have always encouraged my readers to stay in the His Word. But I totally forgot to heed my own advice. Pretty silly – huh? Snippets really don’t fill the cup…
“But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice.
He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.”
~ Psalm 55:16-18 (ESV)
Lord of Heaven and Earth. I am sorry that I have strayed from your Word over the last couple of weeks. Thank You for the reminder that I find strength and peace in You alone. Lord, help me to stay focused on the things that are important. I will cast all my burdens on You and You will sustain me. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen
Be blessed today and as always…
You are such a refreshing blessing to my heart Iris.
Iris, you’re so wise to recognize what was missing in your life! This happens to me, more than I would like to admit but I always feel better when I get back into His Word.
((((((feel better)))))
Blessings~
Dear Iris,
Thank you for your honest in sharing that even mature Christian occasionally stray from God. I realize that I have also strayed from my devotion to His word and my online Chrisitan friends and community. I have made a commitment to refocus and come back to His fold so this devotion was just what i needed to here. I am going to go have my devotion time now and think that I will read the Psalm that you quoted.
Blessings-
Jenny
Iris~
Thank you for your honesty! It’s encouraging to know that we all struggle in similiar ways. It seems, at times, when I find myself not in the word that the enemy so successfully feeds my mind lies that I’m the only one. Once we start listening we often begin believing, which then begins the spiral toward, shame, guilt and discouragemnt…keeping us from time in the Word. Such a vicious cyle! We need to be more open and honest about our walk and especially about those time we struggle or just forget.
Your such a blessing! Thank you!
I have realized that lately as well, Iris. It is something that we, as women, tend to forget I think, because we are so busy taking care of others. Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed your thoughts! Blessings to you!
Oh yes, sometimes it so easy to get distracted and think we have to do this and we’ll get to God’s word later…it doesn’t always happen. I’ve been guilty too. Thanks for sharing from your heart and may you be blessed in a special way today.
What a refreshing post, and a great reminder. I, too, have been suffering from a “constant headache” due to stress in recent days, and even thought to myself a couple of days ago, “My head hurts to bad to read my Bible.” No! That’s exactly what I needed! God is so faithful to use His Word to refresh and to heal pain- in a very real way. If I’m focused on His Word I can’t focus on what is causing me stress, and when I return to deal with the stress, it’s in its proper perspective. Thank you for these thoughts today.
TRUE TRUE sooooo true my friend.
excellant reminder. we NEED food to live and our spirits will starve if not fed the nourishment of the word of GOD. shalom…
I have been feeling stressed-out recently too. Guess what I just realized my problem is- I haven’t been reading my Bible like I should. I haven’t taken the time pray like I should either. Thanks for the reminder!
So, I’m NOT the only one who does this to herself? 🙂 I too, have need of some real meat, Scripture-wise, lately. What an encouragment, though, to know that I am not alone in this.
Thank you for your honesty, Iris.
My deck will be finished in just a couple of days. The first thing I want to do is to sit on the deck and read the Bible at the table. That will be such an awesome place to fill my cup! Thanks for the spot of tea.
I can so identify with the feeling of being stressed out and I think I haven’t been reading enough of the word also. Thanks so much for sharing.
This is such an awesome post Iris…….I can relate to this on so many levels…God has been showing me the same stuff…..Thanks for sharing!
I am so blessed by you!
Crystal
Iris, I just could not believe my eyes, what you said in your post just like saying to me. Last week, I did not have long time to read my Bible, thought I prayed, and open the Bible to read some snippets,read some christian article..I feel that I just like one drown in sea…the bad thoughts hovering in my brain…thank you so much for reminding me back to the Bible to search his words to fill my soul..
Iris, It is easy to get to the place where we are just empty. You have had an especially difficult time recently. How wise of you to realize where your true source is. It is a wonderful reminder. We really cannot live the way God wants us to without His word. It has taken me a long time to get consistent about that. Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder.
Dear Iris,
You are completely right we always feel better when able to be in the word. I know how it is to have lots on your plate, no time and stress. I am praying for you my friend. Thanks for all you do for all of us sisters and friends in Christ. Love , hugs and prayers to you.
I especially liked this part:
I finally figured out my problem. Like a huge DUH affect! I forgot about a major part in my life – reading Scripture! Sure I prayed, but I didn’t sufficiently fill my cup with His refreshing water on a daily basis. I have always encouraged my readers to stay in the His Word. But I totally forgot to heed my own advice. Pretty silly – huh? Snippets really don’t fill the cup…
I am a nurturer by nature and one that likes to uplift and encourage others too but have to remember to be in the word and fill my cup too.
Love,
Angel ():)
Iris,
You and I are in the same boat. I am realy struggling with my walk. I have been so busy. I have a new Bible study beginning tomorrow and I think I am going to pass. I need to spend time alone with my Savior.
Iris, I will pray for you will you pray for me too? Love you, Lynn
Oh, my friend, I think God totally understands, though. I didn’t read my bible this week at the hospital like I planned. It was there. I opened it. And my brain was numb. When our physical bodies wear down, it affects our ability to absorb a single word sometimes. And yes, we need more than a snippet here or there. Eventually, we’ll deplete ourselves. Thankfully, the Lord is ever-ready to fill us with Living Water. Praying for you, dear sister. I’m still trying to recupe and take care of hubby. It would be overwhelming except for the marvelous grace of God. He has prepared me for such a time as this.
I love you, my sister-friend.
Vicki