Fatigue:
Today we've gone from candle power to electric power, and few of us pay heed to that old saying anymore. We want bigger homes, fancier cars and more exotic holidays etc. So we start earlier, work harder and finish later. Then we stagger home and fall asleep in front of the television, worn out and feeling guilty about spending so little time with our family. We forget that God designed us to need one work-free day a week for rest and spiritual renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). As a result, fatigue saps our creative energy, distorts our outlook, diminishes our joy, erodes our confidence and drains us spiritually.
Elijah is a great example of this. Single-handedly he defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-46). In answer to his prayer God sent fire from Heaven that consumed the altar and turned Israel back to God. It was a spectacular victory, yet on the heels of it he got so down that he actually asked God to take his life. Now that's reaching an all-time low!
So what did God do? Like any good doctor, He diagnosed the man's problem and prescribed three things:
- proper diet,
- adequate rest,
- and a good assistant - Elisha.
Many of us, who love what we do for a living, can have a tendency to get out of balance. We have no boundaries so we risk burning out.
We 'grow weary while doing good.' What's the answer? 'He restores my soul' (Psalm 23:3 NKJV). The word 'restores' has two parts: 'rest' and 'store'. Relax physically, and replenish spiritually. That's what to do when you feel down!
SoulFood: 2 Sam 17:14 - 19:43, Luke 8:1-15, Psa 123, Pro 18:13-16
Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Thursday, 18 July 2013
APPS available here
