Tired

TIRED

by Becky Dietz

When you’re ministering to the body, soul (mind, will, emotions), and spirit of others, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get tired.  I’ve even learned that there are different kinds of tiredness in that same manner—body (physical tiredness), soul (mind-overthinking, will-battling choices, emotions—becoming emotionally drained), and spirit (spiritual battle fatigue).  And I’m sure there are derivatives of each of those.  So anytime I’m sighing or saying, “I’m tired,” I try to take stock and see WHERE I’m tired.  

Rest is, of course, the obvious solution to tiredness, but there are also different kinds of rest. Every minister and his wife NEED to rest.  It’s so easy to give and give without replenishing yourself.  PLEASE take time to rest!!  Take stock and see which of these might be helpful for you:

• Take 30 minutes or an hour to be quiet. No noise, no devices, nothing.  Just be still. 

• Take a nap.  

• Read an uplifting, encouraging, or even a simple book.  Read something which doesn’t require lots of thought.  

• Hold a happy baby. 

• Take a trip to your favorite get-away.  

• Get together with good friends for dinner.  

• Go see family.  

• Pray with your prayer warriors.  Or better yet...ask them to pray over you!

• Watch a funny movie.  (Laughter is a great release. )

• Eat healthy food.  

• Go on a date with your spouse.  

• Meet a friend for coffee. 

• Go shopping with your friend who loves bargains!

• Journal your thoughts and your emotions. 

• Listen to God’s voice.  

• Tell your family you’re having YO-YOs for dinner (You’re On Your Own).  It’s amazing how fun this can be for everyone!   Everyone gets to eat what they fix for themselves that night.  

• Ask for hugs. 

• Go for a drive in the country. 

• Have a good cry—preferably in a bubble bath.  

• Chase a sunset.  Take photos of it.  

• Throw a fun party!   Invite people you love.  

• Watch the stars.  

• Clean your house (or even a closet).  Organization brings peace.  Even better—hire a house cleaner (!!). 

• Wade in water.  

• Laugh with your family.  Do silly things together—a water gun fight, charades, or like my friend, Ember—speak in a British accent at dinner.  

• Go for a walk or a bicycle ride. 

• Read Psalms. 

• Go somewhere private and yell as loud as you can.  Ask God all your questions!

• Forgive yourself, if needed.  

• Meet with a friend to discuss a chapter of the Bible.  Get fresh insight.  

• Read a biography of a missionary you’ve never heard of.  

• Eat chocolate. 

Seriously...invest in yourself.  We NEED you to keep going, to keep ministering, to keep giving.  But you can only do that if you’re not empty.  I bless each of you!!!  May you keep being filled!