Alright, so I started working out again. No, not a resolution, but a necessity. I do a workout called Turbo Fire that is pretty fast-paced. Now, I have no idea why I thought that anything called “turbo” and “fire” should be my entry back into the fitness world. Boy, it wore me out!
Okay, so the creator of the workout, Chalene Johnson, is all hype the entire time while I’m on the other side of the screen, ready to pass out. As the exercise progresses, it feels as if she can see me, ready to sit criss-cross-applesauce and just watch the remainder of the video. Why do I think this? Because she yells, “You’re not tired!”
This reverse psychology stuff apparently works. I grit my teeth and move past my body’s obvious exhaustion to complete my workout. She made me feel like I had more to give when I thought I didn’t LOL.
A Time to Fake It, Faith It, and Rest It.
Nope, this article is not about me restarting my workout regimen or about your need to start yours (but if you needed a sign, yes, please workout). Rather, this is about actually being tired. Yep, being tired and convincing yourself that you’re not.
I’m not talking about those Wednesdays at work when you need an extra cup of coffee and a candy bar to stay awake. Uh uh, I’m talking about being mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually drained and never acknowledging it. This is dangerous.
How? Well, if you never acknowledge that you’ve exhausted yourself, you’ll never accept help or the replenishment of your strength. If we go around pretending that we don’t need the strength that only God provides, then we will never see the reality of our need for Him. Can we say “Burnout” with a capital B?
And no, I’m not telling you to quit what you’re doing, but I am suggesting that you tell God the truth about how you really feel. He sees and knows all anyway – everything about us.
So, What’s the Play Call?
The society we live in says to do all the things – get the bag, hustle, boss up, ride or die – but we weren’t created to go non-stop. God created a sabbath day for a reason; He obviously knew we’d need to rest. I mean, listen here, if God took a rest day, who are we to deny one?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when your mind tells you that “you’re not tired” and you want to dismiss the fact that you truly are:
- Remember that God is the ultimate strength giver. Yep, He’s so good that He doesn’t just give strength, He is strength. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Let them help you. Whoever your reliable, God-sent, in-tune “them” is… let them be there to help you carry what you can’t carry alone. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1
- It’s okay to rest. In fact, God commands it. Sometimes we run our bodies back into the dust they were created from, only because we are afraid that we’ll get behind if we take that breather. But allow me to let you in on a little secret: You’ll be so much better after the rest. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
- Make sure you’re spending time with God. I know that when I don’t have that alone time with God, every day, it is easier for me to overwork myself because I am going off my own instincts and feelings instead of God’s leading and instruction. Do what you have to do to get that time in – wake up earlier, listen to worship music, sermons, or even the Bible as you move around and prepare for your day. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Remember that you are allowed to go into that phone booth and “un-Superman” yourself. It’s okay to acknowledge that you’re tired so that God can be your strength and very present help.
