Introduction
Are you feeling tired as if you’ve been drained of all energy?
Do you struggle to cope with the demands of your daily life? Do you feel like
you have no strength or motivation to do anything? If you answered yes to any
of these questions, then this article is for you. I want to share with you some
Bible verses and practical tips that can help you refocus, overcome fatigue, reset,
and restore your vitality.
With our ever-busy, on-the-go world lifestyles, it is not hard to become overwhelmed. Also, life often throws unexpected challenges our way, leaving us feeling stressed, and exhausted. Whether it's due to work pressure or personal setbacks, navigating through stressful times can take a toll. Being physically tired can in turn affect you emotionally and mentally. You may find yourself overreacting to situations, and unable to, “think straight”. Unless the situation is addressed, it can get much worse resulting in more serious consequences.
It is important to determine what is causing us to feel
fatigued so that we can take steps to reduce it. It is a common problem that
affects many people. There are many causes of fatigue, including stress, lack
of sleep, poor diet, illness, overwork, and many other factors. Fatigue can
have negative effects on your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
health. It can make you feel depressed, anxious, irritable, and hopeless. It
can also weaken your immune system and make you more prone to diseases.
Once you identify the source of your fatigue and stress, you
can intentionally make changes in your life to address them. Sometimes we can
trace these feelings to poor planning and time management, over-commitment, lack
of organization, lack of focus, big life changes, or unhealthy relationships.
Does any of this ring a bell?
When I feel physically drained and overwhelmed, the first
thing I do is acknowledge the feelings and identify what is causing me to feel
that way. Next, I often read a Bible verse and then talk to the Lord telling
Him how I feel and that I need Him to help me overcome my feelings. I usually
feel less stressed after. I then engage in an activity such as rearranging my
desk or a bookshelf while I am thinking through what I need to do. Something
that is not physically strenuous or mentally taxing. I write down all the
things that I need to do, the deadlines, and which ones are the most critical.
I order them according to priority. Having done this, I usually do something
relaxing to help me reset. It could be sleeping, reading, listening to music,
or watching TV. It may be a different activity for you, but you just need to
stop and get out of that mindset of feeling overwhelmed by shifting your focus
so that you can recharge and begin afresh.
Bible Verses that Can Help You to Refocus
Some Bible verses that you can find comfort in are:
- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and
I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
- "He gives strength to the weary and increases the
power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:29)
- "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 faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
- "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for
you." (1 Peter 5:7)
- "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes
me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my
soul." (Psalm 23:1-3)
- "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed
Given the prevalence of people becoming overwhelmed in our
world today, it’s important to know how to reset when life gets the best of
you. These are tried-and-true tips to help you overcome feelings of being overwhelmed:
Proper Nutrition – Eating balanced meals regularly is
important. We can get so busy that we feel we do not have the time to eat even
when we are very hungry. Make sure that you take food, drink, and water with
you if you are so busy that you have to eat while working or on the go. It is also important to take good vitamin and
mineral supplements. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are told that as believers
our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is therefore important to
nourish it with both physical and spiritual food.
Get Adequate Sleep – Ensure that you get adequate sleep so
that you can function well the next day. Sleep is beneficial for our mental and
physical health. Psalm 127:2 states that the Lord grants sleep to those He
loves. Make your sleeping environment conducive to getting good rest. This will
be different for everyone. Some people will listen to calming music, ASMR rainfall,
or other sounds while others may want no sounds or blue lights.
Get Organized– Focus on organizing things – at work, home, etc. Declutter
and arrange your space. Tackle the small tasks first, before moving on to
larger tasks. Make sure to prioritize. I have found these four categories given,
by Stephen Covey, to be very important in prioritizing my activities: urgent
and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither
urgent nor important. While writing lists might sound trivial, they are
extremely effective at increasing organization. When you check off or cross out
a task that you have completed it psychologically removes some of the pressure.
1 Corinthians 14:40 states that everything should be done properly and in an
orderly manner.
Journal – Journaling is an effective way to relieve stress.
By writing down your feelings and stressors, you can confront and sift through the
sources causing you to feel overwhelmed and come up with ways to deal with them.
Plan Your Week – Use your phone calendar or paper calendar
to plan your week in advance. Don’t forget to schedule “me time” every day, if
only for 10-15 minutes. Include all appointments, meetings, travels, social
events, etc.
Control What You Can – While you can’t control every aspect
of your life, there are many things you can control. Focus on those things,
such as: tidying up the house, organizing paperwork, doing the dishes, managing
your schedule, etc. Put the Serenity prayer into action – accept the things you
cannot change and do the things you can.
Relax and Recharge – Rest does wonders for an overwhelmed
mind, body, and soul. How do you best relax and recharge? Examples include
working out, reading, taking a bubble bath, applying a face mask, or simply
doing whatever makes you feel good. A vacation or a change of environment can
be restorative, but they can also be preventative.
Talk To a Loved One – Having a strong support system around
you is important. Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to call on your
friends and loved ones. They know you well so you can express yourself openly and
in doing so you may find relief through their understanding, encouragement, and
support. They may also give helpful advice or engage in activities with you
that will help you relax and reset.
Learn to Say “No” – Set and
maintain boundaries. As previously mentioned, over-committing yourself to
events, tasks, etc. is a top contributor to being overwhelmed. Know your limits
and learn to say “no.” It’s one of the best things you can do for your mental
health.
Take A Nap – Without a doubt, a nap during the workday
always helps me overcome feelings of overwhelm. It provides a natural mental
reset. A short nap (10-20 minutes) is powerful!
Feeling overwhelmed might be common, today, but it is
possible to overcome them. When we learn to slow down, be present, and take
care of ourselves, feelings of being overwhelmed melt away.
How to Use the Word of God to Restore Your
Energy
When Christians are feeling tired and weary from the
stresses of life, it's important to draw strength from their faith and the
promises of God. God's word has the power to heal and renew your energy. The
Bible is full of promises and encouragements for those who are weary and
burdened. Here's how we can navigate these challenges while remaining rooted in
our beliefs:
Rest in God's Promises: Remind yourself of the promises God
has made to His people. One powerful verse to remember is Isaiah 40:31,
"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
faint." This verse assures us that by placing our trust in God, we can
find renewal and strength even in weariness.
Prayer and Meditation: Turn to prayer and meditation as a
way to find peace and solace in God's presence. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages
believers to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus." Taking time to pray and meditate can help
alleviate stress and bring a sense of calmness.
Community Support: Seek support from fellow believers and
your church community. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help
them up." Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and mentors can
provide encouragement and strength during difficult times.
Self-Care: Recognize the importance of self-care as a means
of honoring the body and mind that God has given you. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
reminds us, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." This
includes getting adequate rest, eating healthily, exercising regularly, and
setting boundaries to prevent burnout.
Trust in God's Timing: Understand that God's timing is
perfect, even when it may not align with our desires or plans. Proverbs 3:5-6
advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths
straight." Surrendering control and trusting in God's plan can alleviate stress and uncertainty.
By incorporating these action steps into their lives,
Christians can find strength, peace, and resilience in their faith even during
times of weariness and stress. Remember, while God loves and cares for His
people, it's also essential to take responsibility for self-care and seek
support from both God and your community.
Conclusion
We have all felt stressed and overwhelmed at some point in our lives because we had too many tasks to do and did not feel up to it. To some, it may sound like impractical advice but leaning on the word of God in those times can be a great source of strength and motivation. A favorite Bible verse to lean on when you have a lot to do and feel overwhelmed is Philippians 4:13 (KJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” (Matt 11:28). By leaning on God’s strength through prayer and repeating His promises to us, we can renew our minds, reorganize our activities, and get back on track and complete every task successfully.
