A Prayer For Those Busy And Tired

The past couple of weeks (okay, years), I’ve heard two words that I thought would never define me come out of my mouth consistently. I’ve let my guard down, allowing these life-state descriptors to define me. I hate it!

They’ve become my scarlet letters. They isolate me. They make me someone I’m not. And what makes it worse is that society accepts and uses them as passes for non-commitment and a host of other issues. It’s a disease, and extreme measures must be taken to cure myself of it.

I have TB.

I have Tired & Busy disease.

The cure: I must alter my lifestyle and shun these words, lest I live a tired and busy life.

The Son of Man says He cares for the lilies of the field and watches the sparrows, so how much more me? He also says, “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

A wise man once said to “guard the heart with all diligence for out of it flows the springs of life.” Ah, how often have I heard these words and denied the power of them? How often have I prayed these words to comfort and encourage others, and yet walked away from this freedom myself?

Our thoughts and speech have a profound impact on how we live. Think about it … our speech has a thought executable, in which the further it travels along our brain transmitters, the more energy, and thus, impact they pick up. By the time thoughts come off our tongues, they have palatable force; they create and change our reality.

What if we tended our thoughts? No more habitual use of words like tired … busy … can’t … as they are enemies to our soul. Let’s look at the fruit of such words.

I’M TIRED.

When I habitually say, “I’m tired,” I am communicating that I’m not abiding in Christ—I’m not coming unto Him. Even if I believe He gives us rest, if I habitually say, “I’m tired,” then this truth has not found its way into my heart. It’s only head knowledge at this point. I am not transformed; I am only informed. It’s also possible to have walked in this truth in prior seasons, and yet not be walking in it today.

I am not saying that we should never be tired. But what I am saying is that if we find ourselves habitually saying, “I’m tired,” to the “how are you?” question, perhaps we should check ourselves.

• Are we connecting with the Lord, the Prince of Peace?
• Are we saying, “yes” to too many things, and not enough no’s?
• Are we dabbling in activities that don’t support our goals?
• And of course, it could be physical? Check with the doctor for adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues and such.

If any of these put a pit in your stomach, stop, collaborate and listen to the Holy Spirit … what is He saying to you?

I’M BUSY.

When I habitually say, “I’m busy,” I am communicating a closed door to others. I do not have margin in my life. I am maxed. I am time-broke and usually emotionally broke, too. I am not open to opportunities. I am stressed; therefore, I am subject to limiting mindsets that, when I’m not busy, do not define me. We feel drained and, unfortunately, others feel drained around us when we are in busy mode.

A habitual use of “I’m busy” communicates that we are not yielding to the Holy Spirit, and we are not committing our days to Him. The Lord does not author busy days. He authors fruitful, restful and life-giving days.

One final nugget:

In the Strangest Secret, Earl Nightingale opens by quoting Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s answer to the question, “What’s wrong with men today?” He said, “Men simply don’t think!” In an age of progressive technology, increased capabilities, and access to resources, men do not think and are not industrious or enterprising. Men are passive participants in their life, allowing circumstances to dictate their mood and behavior. This deserves a “HELLO!” we are not drones. We are not wired to live in a zombie-like state. We are wired for success. Nightingale says that success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. A man going toward a pre-determined goal—he is the success. Someone who set out to become a teacher, a stay-at-home mother who loves it, a whoever-loving-to-do-whatever—these people are the successful ones!

Challenge

Make a list of words you’re going to X out of your vocabulary; skip four lines between each word. Now go back and outline three ways you’re going to alter your lifestyle to effectively shun these words. BE MILITANT. It’s the only way. The fruit, I promise, will be a more abundant life. After you’ve done this, listen to The Strangest Secret.

 X – TIRED

1. Create a routine; condition myself to value routines and not see them as the enemy to spontaneity and life!
2. Write my goals down; ask the Lord what this season of life is to be about; how do I achieve this? I will limit activities that do not directly support these goals.
3. I will not say, “I’m tired.” I will choose to push through or just not say anything. It doesn’t matter if I’m tired. I am changing, and this phrase does not aid my metamorphosis.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for how You’ve created us. Thank You that You know each one of us intimately, and that You foreknew our days before the foundations of the world. Thank You for creating us with such unfathomable capabilities and beautiful qualities. Open the eyes of our hearts to see where we have not been abiding in You. Forgive us, Lord. We return to You and focus ourselves on You, the source of all good things. Lord, we ask for wisdom and strength as we take on this challenge of eliminating “tired and busy” from our lives and vocabulary. Lord, fill us with Your power! Your love! Your joy! We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and we embrace the transforming power of the Word of God. Hallelujah, Lord! We love you! In Jesus’ name, amen.