Life often has a way of draining us dry. Sometimes we don’t even see it coming. But over time, in the midst of busy schedules, pressures, responsibilities and life demands, we can start to feel overwhelmed. It’s hard to keep everything flowing smoothly. Maybe a difficult crisis sends us spiraling. Or possibly, it’s not even one big thing, but just a series of constant, little things that add up over time. And we start to grow weary.

We can often be really good at taking care of others. But we might forget to refuel our own lives. We don’t take time to slow down or find ourselves in a continual state of “go.”

We can often be really good at taking care of others. But we might forget to refuel our own lives.

Yet God never intended for us to live on the fast track. He made us with needs for renewal in Him. Jesus himself took time to pull away, for rest and refreshing, for quiet moments with His Father. He understands our weaknesses and promises to give us grace and strength for every battle and struggle we face.

3 Sure Signs You’re Emotionally Drained:

*You feel weary, exhausted, and the things that once brought life and joy, no longer do. You feel unorganized with a continual, nagging sense that you just can’t finish it all, no matter how hard you try. There’s an overriding sense of pressure and stress that seems to hang overhead. You’re forgetting things, even important things. It feels like a weight to carry, and you feel burdened down with the load of it all.

*You feel constantly irritated, impatient, even angry with others. You don’t even want to respond in these ways but feel trapped in the cycle and completely overwhelmed. You feel like it’s a struggle to hold it together for another day. You’ve found yourself pulling away. Distancing yourself, from God and time with him. From other people who you love. From church. Maybe the downward spiral has even left you feeling all alone, struggling with loneliness and despair.

*You’re having trouble sleeping. You wake up with worried thoughts, and though you know you need sleep, it’s hard to get a full night’s rest. Or when the alarm goes off, you’re still not refreshed. You find it’s hard to get moving and you’ve lost your peace and joy. There might be physical symptoms that point towards being emotionally drained. You’re not eating well or struggling with eating too much. You’ve stopped exercising because there’s just too much to do. You feel anxious, worried, stressed, or fearful and you can’t seem to shake it off.

How to Find Renewal Again:

A reminder if you’ve been facing tough days or feeling drained and weary – you’re not alone, not ever. God is there and waiting to help. He’s never far away, you can come to him right now and find refreshing for your soul.

Only in Him can true renewal be found. He reminds us continually in his word, that he understands our weaknesses and has also walked through these very battles. He knows what we need and will lead us through to the other side of the struggle. But we must first get our eyes in the right place. Off the problems and the feelings of being overwhelmed, off all the stress that pulls us down leaving us drained, and up to him again.

A reminder if you’ve been facing tough days or feeling drained and weary – you’re not alone, not ever. God is there and waiting to help.

Go to God first. Pray. Confess your need for him. God loves us more than we could ever fully know, he longs to help us and is always there. His words of life remind us that he is our strong tower and refuge in every storm or difficulty of life. He promises to help us, and he is faithful to see us through.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

Open up His word. Put on the armor of God every day. Read his words of truth and life, speak them out loud, pray them. Start memorizing verses that bring you hope, write them out and hang them up where you’ll see his words throughout the day. He promises that his words of life will never return void without accomplishing all that they are meant to do. We can trust his words in every stage and circumstance of our lives.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV)

Stop trying to carry it all. Lay it down, you’re not meant to make everything happen on your own. Get rest. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy meals. Go outside and take a long walk. Watch the sunrise or sunset, notice things you’ve forgotten to notice all around you. The people you love. The animals or pets you love. Nature, beautiful flowers, the stretch of an ocean, sounds of rushing waters, or the majesty of a mountainside. Learn to breathe deep again and find times of rest for your soul. Allow God to fill you up with the power and peace of his presence. He alone is our hope-restorer and burden-bearer.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

Peace to you today. You are loved with an everlasting love and God will carry you always.