Is your soul weary?

• By candidasullivan
• October 13, 2023
• No Comments

I remember being so utterly exhausted when my kids were little that I would fall asleep on the hardwood floor without a pillow or a blanket. During this period in my life, both my body and my soul were weary. I poured out continuously to others. I gave everything I had to my babies, husband, home, and job. There wasn’t anything left for me. Even when I had a few minutes, I used the time to worry or procrastinate about what needed to be done.

I went to bed each night overwhelmed, and woke up the same way. I was stuck in survival mode and didn’t know how to break free. I dreaded my life instead of enjoying it. And I didn’t show up as my best self.

If I could go back and talk to her, the overwhelmed, chronically tired, survival-mode mom, I would say this to her.

Take an hour for yourself every day. If you can’t find an hour, then start with 30 minutes. Use this time to pray and sit in silence. If possible, go for a walk and talk to the Lord. The problem is not so much that your body is tired, but your soul is weary. You’ve got so much going on that your mind is cluttered. You feel overwhelmed because you don’t think you can do it all. That is why you need to talk it over with God. He can show you how to do it all and enjoy it. He can strengthen you when you feel weak. He can give you a new perspective on it all. He can take the worry and replace it with His peace. God can help you show up as your best version for everyone—including you.

The truth is that none of us know how to parent our children. We don’t know exactly what they need. But God does. When we go to Him, then He will bless our efforts. God can take our small effort and bless it abundantly. He has grace for our every need.

When negative thoughts creep in today, use this Bible verse to redirect your thoughts. Repeat it to yourself throughout the day.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Each time a new challenge arises, take it to God in prayer. Share the big things with Him and the small things. Ask Him what you need to do to feel better. He knows how to help you and is just waiting for you to ask Him to help you. If you think this sounds great but don’t understand, I don’t have the time. Then start by asking God to help you to find the time. If you need to pray with the kids in your lap, that works, too. When my kids were little, I would tell them I was going to the deck to talk to God. Sometimes, they would open the door and say, “Mom, when you finish talking to God, I need you.”