I’m Tired
I’m Tired…
It seems to be the standard response these days that when you ask someone how they are doing they answer with, “I’m tired.” Why are we all so exhausted? Modern man (and woman) can’t possibly be doing as much physical labor as our predecessors of even a decade ago. This from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (US) website: ‘Over the course of the 20th century, the composition of the labor force shifted from industries dominated by primary production occupations, such as farmers and foresters, to those dominated by professional, technical, and service workers. ... By the end of the century, that figure was less than 3 percent.’If we look back to 1921, 30% of the US population were farmers as opposed to the 1.3% of today and if you want to physically work hard, try just a quarter-acre (250 square foot) garden in your back yard. I guarantee you, by the end of your stint plowing, sowing, fertilizing, weeding, pest controlling, harvesting, and canning your crop, you will be intimately acquainted with exhaustion and no longer in need of melatonin to sleep.
It is a given that most of us are not doing enough physical work to fatigue us to near collapse each day – far from it! Studies show that what we are really suffering from is overstimulation of our brains. From sunup to sundown and long into the night for most, we are focused on a cell phone, working on a computer, or watching a television. Sometimes we are engaged in two of these things – some people can do all three at the same time. It would be accurate to answer our original question of ‘how are you?’ with the response of ‘my brain is overloaded so I feel tired.’ The irony is that if you took off running as soon as you finished that sentence and moved around for a bit, you would begin to feel refreshed. And when you change how you view the situation, the result would be much more chill.
There is also aggravation in the CONTENT of what you are constantly viewing. There is no denying that if you are continually bombarding yourself with negative focus, you are going to FEEL negative. If you are viewing media that fuels a lust for something you can’t possibly attain, you will feel frustrated and unhappy (and tired).
There is a remedy to combat this malaise found in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” So, let’s examine why you truly are feeling tired. Are you unhappy? Renew your mind. Are you dissatisfied? Renew your mind. Are you fill in the blank with a feeling you don’t like? RENEW YOUR MIND. It isn’t your physical body that needs an adjustment, it’s your brain. Science says that complaining trains the brain to make you feel bad, but there is tremendous power for change in the made-up mind. We are more than just our feelings. If they rule our lives, we can only play rope-a-dope until the bad ones pass and a good one comes along. If we cultivate the habit of complaining, the good feelings get fewer and fewer until we just feel bad all the time. Tell yourself and anyone who asks that you hope in the Lord, because Isaiah 40:31 promises us that “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”RENEW YOUR MIND. Be transformed. You are GUARANTEED SUCCESS if you renew your mind in Christ Jesus.
Be blessed and be a blessing today!
