For the One Who’s Weary and Overwhelmed

I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so exhausted in my entire life. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know it’s not strictly physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual exhaustion. It’s more like all of those things.

I can’t seem to get on top of my life. I feel like I’m drowning in paperwork, emails, and to-do lists. I’ve committed to so many things that I don’t know if I should’ve committed to. I’m scared of forgetting to do things, but I’m also scared of remembering. I didn’t realize adulthood was going to be so…tedious.

I rarely have my quiet time anymore. I barely have time for my family, except on weekends. I haven’t set aside real relax time in a while. I rely on coffee to get me through the workday because I can’t stay awake to…ahem…work.

All I want to do is crumple into a ball and cry. Or watch tv. Or sleep.

Where Has the Time Gone?

What’s taking up all of my time? Is it being sucked into an invisible vacuum? Because I don’t know where it’s going.

This overwhelmed-ness torments me day and night. My personal desk is covered in notes of things I need to remember. I have a very long color-coordinated to-do list on my phone. I used to color on Sunday afternoons to relax, but now I rarely touch a coloring book. There’s a basket of laundry that I have yet to fold because that just seems like a low priority right now.

My normal day consists of going to work, going to a church thing or hanging out with friends, working out, watching a little tv, and going to sleep. I get dressed, eat, use the bathroom, and do other normal things that all humans do. But am I the only one who feels like a hamster, running on her little wheel and hoping for a moment of peace?

None More Important

Friends, I know from personal experience how easy it is to feel like you’re the only one who’s this overwhelmed and weary. But you’re not! We as women especially struggle with being overcome by physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion.

But none of life’s demands matter more than this truth:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NASB)

Yes, Task #1, Task #2, and Task #50 probably seem so much more important than seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. Because Task #1 is due tomorrow and Task #2 is due next week and Task #50 is due next month.

I know exactly how you feel, but your feelings don’t change the truth. It’s certainly important to keep our commitments. But I want to encourage you that all the to-do lists and paperwork and deadlines and dirty dishes in the world don’t matter nearly as much as seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness.