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June Yates-Boykin

               The flight attendant gracefully strolls the aisle, checking on passengers and engaging with them in small talk.  A look of concern replaces her radiant smile as she notices a very pregnant woman standing in front of the bathroom.  The woman appears to be frozen in place, both hands gripping the open door.  She leans on the door as though for support.  She is pale, distressed, and tears have filled her eyes.

               The attendant approaches her with compassion.  “Ma’am?  You OK?  Can I help you somehow?”

               The woman never releases her grip on the door, and never redirects her desperate stare from the bathroom.  “You know what?” she responds to the attendant with no movement save the blinking of her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears.  “I didn’t want to get pregnant yet, but I did.  And I didn’t want my best friend to move clear across the country, but she did.  And I didn’t want my father to pass away, but he did.  And I sure didn’t want to have to fly 8 months pregnant with twins to my sister’s wedding, but I am.  Through all of this happening at one time, I’ve done my very best to remain positive and strong, to look at the bright side and keep going.  But this!  This is the straw that broke the camel’s back.  It’s just too much.”  She begins to bawl, bowing her head to the back of her hands that refuse to release the door.

               “What?  What’s happened?” She gently reaches out to the traveler.

               “I don’t think I can fit into the bathroom!”

               Okay, I made that up.  But not this one:  Our family worked hard all day as we moved from a second story apartment with no elevator to a house across town.  I was little help because I was about midway through chemo treatments, leaving me with little energy.  The family had to do their part and take up slack on mine.  We started early that day and allowed the 10-minute drives from one place to the other and back again to serve as our only breaks.

               Dinner time came and while we yet had a few boxes and some furniture to move, everyone was hungry and needed to sit for a while.  Someone made a trip to Taco Bell and brought food for all.

               We sat quiet for the most part, too tired to engage in much conversation as we ate.  Suddenly, our teenage daughter who found herself a seat on a box across the room, burst into tears.  She was sobbing. 

               My middle son jumped to run to her as he was the closest and quickest.  In unison the rest of us were asking her what was wrong.  Finally, with my son crouched in front of her trying to fix whatever had gone awry, she managed to calm down long enough to tell us, “There’s no meat on my taco!”

               She included herself in the laughter that broke out at that moment.  Still, we consoled her and helped her understand that was the fatigue talking.

               Weariness, be it physical or emotional, is dangerous. Were it tangible, warning lights and sirens would likely be required where ever it may be found.  Fatigue can severely distort our perception and impair our good judgment.  It turns mole hills into mountains. It affects our attitudes and ability to think or react quickly.  It lowers our resistance and far too often convinces us to take action we would not take when rested.

               Let’s think about that on a small scale.

               Have you ever given into a child or a friend or even a salesperson because they were relentless in their pursuit of what they wanted?  They went on and on and on begging or arguing their point, refusing to give you a minute to breathe until finally you say, “Fine!  If it will shut you up and get me out of here, do it!”  Later, when you were refreshed, you regretted that decision.

               They wear us down, and from that weariness we surrender.   

               Just about the time you prepare to call it a day and relax a little before bedtime, you get a call from someone in need of a hand or you remember a commitment you made to attend a dinner or meeting somewhere.  If you’re rested, you will likely go with a sigh, but with a good attitude and giving the matter your full attention.  If, however, you’ve been taxed throughout the day mentally or physically, your response is likely going to be much different.   You might lie to get out of it, when you’re really not one to lie.  You might go, but with a bad attitude that affects everyone involved.  Or, you might go with the right attitude, but find yourself unable to reason properly and make good choices about the matter.

               You might not think you can fit into the bathroom, when in reality you can.  No meat on your taco will look like the loss of your best friend, when it’s just beef and there are more tacos on the table. 

               Maybe in these small matters not much harm is done.  But when more important matters are at stake such as your marriage or family, your career, your finances, or your Christian values, the distortion and impatience that fatigue brings can cause serious, long term repercussions. 

I have come to understand that sometimes it’s not the severity of the battle; it’s the duration.  The weariness creeps in over time and we might not even realize how tired we are until our resistance is down to a critical level.

               Satan knows that if we perceive our problems as much larger than they really are, we are more prone to act from negative emotions such as fear, worry, frustration, and anger than we are to respond with faith and the peace of God as our guide.  We are more prone to compromise when we are weary than we are rested and strong.

               This plot of his is being carried out in this day at an extreme level.  With everything going on that affects us from the personal, everyday level all the way to national and global events over which we have little control, people are more tired physically, emotionally, and spiritually than I ever remember.  Our lives have become too busy, the responsibilities too heavy, and the negativity and threats too wearisome.  This makes our minds fertile ground for Satan.

               So what do we do?  Here are some suggestions:

               1. Never make important decisions when you are weary unless it cannot be avoided because of an emergency or deadline.  If that should be the case, pray, pray, pray first, and try to find good, godly counsel.  This is especially true if the situation causing the fatigue has been long term, such a struggling business or marriage or serving as care giver for a loved one.  It is wise to delay making important decisions when you are weary.

               2.  When faced with a new situation, don’t react until you’ve taken a minute to look at it a little closer. 

               When they were young, my three boys were mischievous to say the least, but they were respectful and well behaved. I contracted pneumonia once when they were at that young age. 

               Pneumonia can zap your energy for a good long while.  Add to that the fact that I am not a person to just sit around doing nothing.  Sum total?  Physical and emotional fatigue.  My mother called to check on me.  I remember telling her I was doing better, just still very tired.  I added, “But of all the times for my boys to misbehave, they wait until I’m sick.” 

               She explained to me, “They’re not acting any differently than they always do.  You’re just tired so it seems worse.”

               She was right.  I realized that’s exactly what was happening.  They were being normal them.  I was being tired me. Tired me saw them differently, as frustrating and ill-behaved when in fact they were not.

               Make sure you’re not seeing the bathroom smaller than it is just because you’re tired.  If that’s the case, relook the situation after you’ve rested or in considering what you know to be true.  Change your perspective before you quit your job, divorce your spouse, or go into debt for a car you can’t afford.

4.  Believe.  Develop your faith in God to a higher level. Trust Him to lead you and guide you.  Believe that He is willing and able to work everything out and bring the situation to an end in His way and His perfect timing.  If you can believe, the danger of irrational decision making and behavior will be diminished and you will sleep much better.  This is where true rest is provided to our spirit and soul. 

So we see that they could not enter in [to His rest] because of unbelief.  Hebrews 3:19 NKJV

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:30,31 NKJV

5.  Rest.  Rest your body and your soul (mind, will, emotions) Walk away from the desk. Do something you enjoy, something that will take your mind off the things that are wearing you down.  Give your mind and emotions a chance to reboot. Put the hammer down for a while and pick up the fishing rod.  Laugh out loud with friends.  Sit quietly by the water.

               God has to work with me on this one, I admit it.  You might have a driven personality like I do.  If so, you’re going to need more discipline in this area than many others.  I relate.  But I have grown to understand its necessity by pushing myself to a place of exhaustion where I do not have to go, that does me no good whatsoever, and that God does not intend for any of us.  So, I’m getting better at taking time-outs. I’m certain God will help me find that perfect balance for me.  He will help you, too.

               If you are in a situation where rest is hindered by the demand, get what you can and pray for God to multiply the effects until this season of your life passes.  Repeat #3 often.

               God set the example.  Jesus rested and took time to enjoy himself.  He sent His disciples to get some rest.  He wants us to do the same.

You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. Even at the time of plowing and harvest you must rest. Exodus 34:21 MEV

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2 NLT

Don’t allow weariness to overtake you.  The dangers are real.  Our protection is in our faithful God who gives power to the faint and increases strength in those who have no might.  Trust Him.  He will give you rest.

©2023

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