Warning Signs
“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)
People came to Jesus for a lot of different reasons during his earthly ministry. Some for forgiveness, some for answers to questions, some for healing, some because they were hungry, and some because they wanted salvation. But in our key text today, Jesus invites those who are feeling burned out to listen up. And He says to them then and us now that if you are exhibiting any of these warning signs, if you are feeling weak, exhausted, tired, empty, and weighed down, pay attention and take heed, these words are for you.
Before my car runs out of gas, I get a message that says, “tank almost empty, refuel now.” Before I’m completely out of gas, there’s a warning sign, and if I want to avoid being stranded, I had better pay attention to the warning sign. A 2015 survey found that the reason the majority of car drivers run out of gas and break down is because they ignore the car’s warning light.
The same thing happens in life and in our walk with God. So if you want to avoid burnout, you’ve got to recognize when your spirit is trying to give you indications that if you keep going like you’re going, your engine is going to stop working.
We face so much pressure each day as human beings to be doing more things, going more places, accomplishing more goals, and meeting more people. More, more, more. But if we don’t take care of ourselves, if we don’t pay attention to the warning signs that we’re running on empty, we’ll end up doing more harm than good.
What are the signs you start to notice that you’re running on empty? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you get short with other people because you’re stressed? Do you shut down emotionally and socially? Do you try to get a quick boost from something earthly and temporary rather than going to your Father in heaven? Whatever the case may be, I would encourage you to begin identifying what your warning signs are so that, moving forward, you can take note of them when they start happening and you can earn when to rest and refuel.
People came to Jesus for a lot of different reasons during his earthly ministry. Some for forgiveness, some for answers to questions, some for healing, some because they were hungry, and some because they wanted salvation. But in our key text today, Jesus invites those who are feeling burned out to listen up. And He says to them then and us now that if you are exhibiting any of these warning signs, if you are feeling weak, exhausted, tired, empty, and weighed down, pay attention and take heed, these words are for you.
Before my car runs out of gas, I get a message that says, “tank almost empty, refuel now.” Before I’m completely out of gas, there’s a warning sign, and if I want to avoid being stranded, I had better pay attention to the warning sign. A 2015 survey found that the reason the majority of car drivers run out of gas and break down is because they ignore the car’s warning light.
The same thing happens in life and in our walk with God. So if you want to avoid burnout, you’ve got to recognize when your spirit is trying to give you indications that if you keep going like you’re going, your engine is going to stop working.
We face so much pressure each day as human beings to be doing more things, going more places, accomplishing more goals, and meeting more people. More, more, more. But if we don’t take care of ourselves, if we don’t pay attention to the warning signs that we’re running on empty, we’ll end up doing more harm than good.
What are the signs you start to notice that you’re running on empty? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you get short with other people because you’re stressed? Do you shut down emotionally and socially? Do you try to get a quick boost from something earthly and temporary rather than going to your Father in heaven? Whatever the case may be, I would encourage you to begin identifying what your warning signs are so that, moving forward, you can take note of them when they start happening and you can earn when to rest and refuel.
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