iShineInMinistry

Are you feeling completely drained, barren perhaps? I was just reading a devotional this morning about barrenness and it occurred to me that I may be in this current state of being. I am always tired, feel like there is always something to do and I really just want a little bit of REST, for like, I don't know...28 minutes?

My body is always giving me warnings to knock it off and get my life together and yet I can't seem to get the hint because...I mean, serving opportunities and other fun things are always around me, just waiting to be completed. And one of my spiritual gifts is serving (being the party is not a spiritual gift, but I seem to want to be that too, lol) so I am always excited, yet prayerful about getting involved. However, I always manage to go overboard (do all unto the glory of the Lord, with joy and glitter) and get carried away with how I execute things, which later makes me exhausted. So, I am prescribing myself (and you if you need it) with three ways to un-barren ourselves when we feel tired, drained and spiritually dry.

1) Nighty night devotions - Obviously, starting your day with morning devos is a genius idea to help you get through the day. However, it is also a smashing idea to add evening devotions to the end of the day and reflect on God's goodness as He relaxes you and prepares your heart and body to bedtime. Play some instrumental worship music in the background to really reset your body to chill mode.

2) Two hours a week of just plain nothing - I have been trying to incorporate this into my week more often these days. I have what I like to refer to as "floor time" where I set a blanket out and just chill on it for a couple of hours. I may journal, light some candles or just lay there looking at my ceiling fan as it turns, but I find that this time to do nothing (for the most part) but breathe is quite beneficial. It may also be a good idea to try to take that time to memorize a verse of scripture. I have been on Psalm 107:8-9 as of late. Or, another fantastic option is to listen to a teaching from a nonlocal pastor that you don't get to hear at church every Sunday in-person.

3) Sip some tea - I LOVE LOVE LOVE tea and had to actually down my intake because it was getting slightly out of hand. However, I do like to have some caramel bedtime tea with cream at the end of a long day to unwind and literally just enjoy the flavor of a sweet treat that does not have nearly as many calories as a slice of cake (which will then send me straight to the gym to run for 60 minutes and further amp me up). The warmth makes my body go into a tranquil state of bliss and I really just love this feeling.

What are some of the ways you take time to re-group and refocus on rest and the Lord when you are feeling drained or barren? How do you refuel and refresh so that your eyes come back to being fixed on the Lord?