via Spiritually Malnourished:

Some of you may be carrying weight on your shoulders, that the Lord never intended for you to carry.  You may find that no matter how hard you try to hide it or put on a brave face; you still continue to feel weighed down, drained, exhausted and experiencing mental and physical fatigue. Your focus is easily lost, stress is increasing, you’re easily distracted, possibly feeling forgotten, lost with no direction, hopeless, questioning your value, frustrated, full of doubt, fear and worry.  You may even feel disconnected from family and friends, lack inspiration which in turns robs you of any motivation and begin questioning the purpose of your existence. You may feel an unquenchable loneliness. Overthinking at night has caused insomnia which causes your body to hold aches and pains. Discontentment is seen in numerous areas of your life, meaning upset in the marriage, work, home, health or finances…. (You are just  so tired of being tired all the time and question, “what’s the point”?)    First off, take a deep breath then answer one question… Do you feed your carnal side more so than your spiritual side?

Many of us are making the mistake of focusing on what is right in front of us instead of on things above as we should be,  according to Colossians 3:1-2. (This has us feeding on upset.) To focus on what’s right in front of us,  only keeps our thoughts on upset. We begin over thinking what someone said or did to us that hurt our feelings, or we try problem solving a better way to lessen all the overwhelming demands coming at us daily. We become so distracted by life and it’s struggles that we forget or are too tired to set time aside to pray or read the Word of God. We walk around feeling dazed by mental fatigue;  by all the over thinking and pondering of upset or rehashing hurtful conversations. We no longer realize how much negativity we keep entertaining. Between texts, emails, social media, family, friends, work, T.V, radio, cooking, cleaning, child raising, and all the tasks involved with activities of daily living, we may unknowingly,  be starving our spiritual side.

None of us can go long without eating or drinking and expect to function properly. We must nourish our bodies in order for them to keep functioning.  It is the same for our spirit. We can’t keep holding every stress and using our own understanding to problem solve. We have to surrender each and every struggle as they present themselves. Otherwise we begin trying to do all; all on our own strength.  Proverbs 3:5 reminds us not to lean on our own understanding. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us not worry about anything. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to do what we are incapable of doing for ourselves. Our mind is to be thinking on things above according to Colossians 3:1-2.  Otherwise, we become as we think.  Proverbs 23:7 is our reminder that the way a man thinks is how he becomes. We need to remove all distractions in order to make time for solitude. This allows us to pray and read the Word of God but also allows His word to take root in us,  so nothing upsetting in this world takes root. Upset will be seen in this world but if our minds and hearts are aligned with God’s will for us; then we won’t be consumed with upset because our focus won’t be on it.

We must feed on the truth that was left for us, in order to receive directions or answers we seek… 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us to meditate on God’s Word.   2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to hold every thought captive for a time. (Our thoughts can place us in an emotional prison if left to ferment.)   1  John 1:9 reminds us to repent of our sins and to ask for guidance.  Mathew 18:21-22 reminds us to forgive as many times as it takes. (Without forgiving, we carry resentment and pain and the Lord wants us to forgive others if we expect him to forgive us.)

My friend, remove all distractions for a time of surrendering all your upsets, being in prayer, reading the Word and offering forgiveness. Feed your spirit that has become severely malnourished and that weight will be lifted off your tired shoulders… The Lord is ready to take but not until you are ready to give…

Blessings,

Robin Worgull