by Lucy | May 10, 2018 | emotions, relationships, whole health wellness |
Got FATIGUE? Anxiety zaps your energy, messes with your mind and body, leading to fatigue, doesn’t it?
Among the reasons for increasing anxiety today are money worries, poor health, and uncertain times–culturally and politically.. What are other energy drainers you see in the world? In your life? But God knows what you face and is with you. In fact, he desires that you find your security in his strength.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29, NIV
So snap up these energy-boosting, fatigue fighters from the Bible. Cool?
Come to Jesus
While many of us sleep less than six hours a night according to this study, there’s a better rest when stressed.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28, ESV
Click & Tweet!
Coming to Jesus is an invitation to trust Jesus personally, not merely believe historical facts about him. At Biblical Counseling Center, we counselors share this biblical truth: Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how you feel, knowing God promises a good result.
Faith in Jesus leads to the best rest and more energy. Have you tried to pray at bedtime? How has prayer deepened your sleep?
Choose New Thoughts
By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can change the way you think so your thinking lines up with biblical truth. When you have God’s perspective on your troubles, you’ll sense joy and this joy gives way to energy.
When self-centered, you and I may ruminate over what should have been done yesterday or last week, or tomorrow and we feel jittery. Hurrying drains energy and may lead to negative thinking. Here’s a popular resource for transforming your thoughts.
Do you know that when you think well, you feel well and you act well?
It’s true. What you think influences how you think and, in turn, how you feel emotionally and physically AND, in turn, how you act.
Click & Tweet!
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7, NKJV
From your heart (your inner person) flows your words and behavior.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23, NIV
Care for Your Body
God created our bodies and we are meant to love and serve him and our neighbor through the strength he provides and the intelligence and creativity he gives us. The Fit for Life ebook helps you not only lose weight but also reduce get fit spiritually and emotionally.
Here are 5 more tips to boost energy through awesome, fatigue-fighting sleep.
1. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends.
2. Keep your bedroom is quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable.
3. Use your bedroom for sleeping and for sex with your spouse, but not for watching television or doing work.
4. Do not regularly take naps unless you are ill or a new mom short on sleep.
5. Exercise nearly every day, but avoid getting sweaty 4 hours of bedtime. Walking is a great option.
Says biblical counselor and author Wayne Mack,
Recognize the fact that an occasional night when you have difficulty sleeping or getting asleep or staying asleep is quite common and will not seriously harm you unless you let it. Don’t focus on or worry about not getting to sleep. Remember also that on rare occasions God may withhold sleep because he wants you to spend extra time in prayer or meditation.
So no worry, friends. Rather, rest in Jesus, change your thoughts, and take care of your body. Need biblical hope and practical help? Please contact me and I can answer your questions or we can set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consult. Just ask.
Counseling Hearts to Hope,
by Lucy | Feb 7, 2017 | biblical counseling, emotions, whole health wellness |
SELF-CARE: The best self-care is a heart checkup.
In part one of this 3-part series, you’ll discover…
- Why you may bristle at the word “self-care.”
- A definition of heart checkup.
Self-Care Hangup?
Self-care may sound…extravagant, even selfish. But for some of up — my old me! — I didn’t think I deserved self-care. Then I dared to ask myself, What’s my hangup?
Also I considered that Jesus took time to rest, didn’t he? He got away to the mountains and rejuvenated. He hung out with the broken people and lunched. I can imagine him smiling and laughing and cracking jokes.
And I asked myself, Am I denying the reality of my own humanity when I think I’m too busy to watch birds flit about my neighbor’s feeder? Or take time for a walk?
Could I reek with. . .twisted pride?
Reminder: The self-care of rest, exercise, meaningful work, eating well (and, for me, chocolate too!) isn’t selfish when your self-care is “onto the Lord.”
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
But divorced from a Godward focus, self-care can be selfish, wouldn’t you agree? Indeed, your motivation matters.
Heart Checkup
Most people think the heart is the emotional part of a person. Scripture suggests that it is your mind, emotions, and will. So you may compare it to a control center. Your heart controls what you think, feel, say, and do.
Proverbs 4:23 says it well:
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Everything.
But there’s bad news. The Bible says your heart “tricks or deceives us into thinking that our desires are pure, that we want what we want because it is good and God approves,” writes Elyse Fitzpatrick, biblical counselor and author.
During the check up you’ll see whether your thoughts align with God’s thoughts. Also, you’ll find out if your actions and emotions are rotten or good.
By the way, in the counseling office, we focus on the heart. And when the counselee’s heart changes so does her life. But the goal isn’t life transformation per se; it is growth in Christlikeness.
3 Parts of the Heart
As mentioned, “heart” is the word the Bible uses for your mind and your emotions and your will altogether. Your mind, emotions, and will influence one another. Let’s look at the parts of the heart.
Your mind: Your mind involves your ability to understand, reason, and discern. It includes your beliefs and opinions.
Taken aback with news from angels about her son, Mary the mother of Jesus “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
The power of God’s word “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7, NLT).
Your emotions: You emotions include your moods as well as your longings, desires, and hopes.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation (Psalm 13:5).
If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts. . . (James 3:14).
Your will: Your will is the part of your inner person that chooses what actions to take. Your mind and emotions inform your will what to do.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).
Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth (2 Corinthians 12:6)
I pray this three-part series helps you understand why your do what you do, so that you can choose God’s best always. Next time will focus on your emotions and thoughts. If you haven’t signed up for my blog and complimentary eBook, please do. Then you’ll get parts 2 and 3 delivered to your inbox.
God bless you as we grow together.
Counseling Hearts to Hope,
