Unfortunately saying ‘I am sick of it’ can come all too naturally. Cultural stress can result in us becoming sick emotionally and sick physically. Stress suppresses the immune system and therefore it is not uncommon for someone, who has been on the field a long time, to be feeling the effects on their health.
Early warning signs of stress can be fatigue, lack of motivation, and lack of joy. We were a little slow to realise that our tiredness was not just the result of our 5.30am wake up but also because of the stress we were experiencing. It didn’t help us to keep speaking negatively about our circumstances.
Galatians 6:7 says ‘Don’t be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows’. Constantly agreeing with our negative circumstances reinforces stress. Click To Tweet In times of stress or when we feel weak we choose to agree with the Word of God. Instead of saying ‘I can’t do it’ we push through, not in our own strength but in the strength that God provides. (1Peter 4:11)
We have also discovered a very precious key. It is a key that everyone has possession of but not very many people choose to use. It is REST! Rest isn’t something that Roy and I find easy, we have a workaholic tendency and have had to put strict boundaries in place to ensure that we have adequate rest. Last year we seemed to struggle not only because we had frequent bouts of illness but our children had too it was then that we realised that we needed to do something differently.
Realise
Realise that you need to rest both physically and emotionally. (Psalm 62:1 Truly my soul finds rest in God)
Establish
Establish firm boundaries. If you are struggling to rest you need to decide when it is a good time to take a break.
Spend time with God.
Make sure you aren’t trying to run the race on your own. Sometimes we start in the Spirit and end up in the flesh. If there are areas where you are running ahead of God slow down! Spend time with God and find out what He wants you to do.
Trust.
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise- in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
