Exhaustion

4 signs you’re living for others’ approval. 1. You say “yes” when you wish you could say “no”. 2. A stranger’s opinion ruins your whole day. 3. You shape-shift depending on who’s in the room. 4. You’re exhausted from performing. 5. Living for others' approval will always leave you exhausted. Don’t fall into the trap today.

5 verses for when you aren’t feeling Monday. 1. his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 2. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24 3. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. - Colossians 3:23 4. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. - Isaiah 40:29 5. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

Don't give up

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - Matthew 11:29

You don't need to perform to belong.

Resting is godly

1. Sometimes reading the Bible feels like a checklist. 2. Sometimes praying feels like talking to the air. 3. Sometimes worship feels like just singing. 4. Sometimes life feels dry. 5. But obedience in the dry times brings life, even if you don’t immediately see it. 6. Stay faithful. Stay committed. The season won’t last forever.

Stop carrying what Jesus already said He would carry

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26

1. Signs you might be in a wilderness season… 2. You're doing everything right and nothing is moving. Praying. Reading. Showing up. And it feels like your prayers are hitting the ceiling and sliding down the wall. 3. You're not angry at God exactly. Just...confused. The silence isn't hostile. It's just very, very quiet. 4. The things that used to fill you up aren't filling you up the same way right now. Worship feels flat. Scripture feels familiar but distant. You're going through the motions and you know it. 5. You keep waiting for the thing that's supposed to happen next. And it keeps not happening. And you're running out of ways to be okay with that. 6. You're tired in a way that sleep doesn't fix. Not physically exhausted. Soul tired. 7. Here’s the thing: The wilderness is where God does some of his most important work. Israel. Moses. David. Jesus. All of them spent time there. None of them stayed forever. 8. The wilderness has an exit. You are not lost. You are in process. And the God who led you in is the same God who leads you out.

Breathe: Learning rest from the Sabbath.

Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:3

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:8

I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak. - Jeremiah 31:25

You don't have to have it all together.

1. Love based on your performance will always exhaust you. 2. Love based on feelings will fade over time. 3. Unconditional love will bring true peace and fulfillment. 4. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” - Jeremiah 31:3

1. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a character flaw. It’s a signal… 2. We usually just push through. Make another list…apologize for being behind…maybe even blame others… 3. Overwhelm comes from carrying something for too long. But there’s a better way. 4. Moses felt this way. He told God, “I cannot carry all these people alone. It's too heavy for me.” (Numbers 11:14) 5. God came through. 6. Remember: You are allowed to not be okay. You are allowed to need help. 7. Jesus invites us to come to Him when we’re overwhelmed and carrying heavy burdens.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak. - Jeremiah 31:25

1. “God, let me die.” (A story you need to read.) 2. Elijah had just called down fire from heaven and then ran for his life because one person threatened him. 3. He collapsed in the desert, alone, and prayed the most honest prayer of his life: "I've had enough, Lord. Take my life." 4. God's response wasn't a rebuke, a lecture, or a theology lesson. It was an angel, a fresh loaf of bread, and a jar of water. 5. He was told to eat, because the journey ahead was going to be longer than he had strength for right now. 6. God never told Elijah his feelings were wrong. He just refused to let discouragement and exhaustion have the final word. 7. If you're sitting under your own tree right now, the God who met Elijah in the desert already knows where you are. He has what you need.