Hey beautiful!
This is your reminder that having a healthy marriage, healthy children, or a healthy business all stem from having a healthy YOU first.
If you’ve ever been on an airplane you’ve heard the flight attendant explain what to do in an emergency situation – put on your OWN life-saving oxygen bag before helping someone else with theirs.
The same can be said in other areas of our lives. If we are not spending time:
• healing from the pain we have gone through
• enjoying the life we have been given
• slowing down to listen to God’s voice
• engaging in activities we love
we can easily become burned out.
And let me tell you, sweet friend, burnout is a REAL thing! And it can totally hijack your life if you aren’t careful.
( I don’t say this as a scare tactic. I say this with all the love in my heart, not wanting you to experience what I recently went through in my own life.)
A few weeks ago I found myself feeling exhausted in a way I’ve never felt before. I was exhausted in every area of my being.
With so many transitions happening at once + lacking much needed boundaries along with lacking adequate rest, I began feeling completely in over my head questioning which way was up.
In these moments I’m so very thankful I had my loving husband + wonderful family who were there to talk me through the hard moments I was facing. They graciously gave me opportunities I desperately needed to rest and regroup. After a couple of weeks I finally got back to a normal tired level and I felt like my feet were back underneath me.
But those moments of weakness proved to be very valuable because I realized how important my mental health is as well as how important it is to have an outlet or activity that I do just because I love it. Not something I’m doing with the hopes of making money or growing my audience, etc. But something I truly enjoy and can just have fun with.
When our hearts, energy, and efforts are going towards helping, supporting, and loving others we also need to be aware of our own energy + health levels.
If we aren’t spending time refilling ourselves consistently, soon enough we will find ourselves below empty in our “gas tank” and it will take a lot more time + effort to get back to a normal state of being than what it would have taken if we would have just taken time initially to take care of ourselves before we became burned out.
Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds and all He had going on in His life to spend time alone with God. We see this multiple times throughout the Bible, and as Christ-followers we should be doing the same.
Yes it can seem noble to be so busy or tired because we have been helping others so much, but that isn’t the life God created us to live. And it isn’t the life Jesus died to give us. (When John 10:10 says Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly, it doesn’t mean an abundance of exhaustion.)
It is more important than ever that we begin placing boundaries and intentionally putting time in our day to slow down + get alone with God just like Jesus did. Not only will these steps of faith help our mental health, they will help us in every area of life.
To truly be transformed there is no special formula, magic remedy, or quick fix. All it takes is a dedication to Christ + allowing God’s word to transform our minds. Then we will become who He created us to be and live the lives He created us to live.
I hope this message is an encouragement to you in the midst of whatever you are facing today! If you’re dealing with burnout and need some support as you begin to slow down + regroup please respond back to this message. I would be honored to pray for you + encourage you during your journey!
Cheering you on in Christ,
~Sarah Murphy