Luke 10:38-42 tells us the familiar story of our abilities. However, researchers found that Mary and Martha: seeking advice from others was one of the most “As Jesus and his disciples were on their important ways workers could reduce emotionway, he came to a village where a woman al exhaustion. named Martha opened her home to him. So surround yourself with a community of She had a sister called Mary, who sat at people who can support you and give you adthe Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But vice. Struggling to get everything done? Start a Martha was distracted by all the preparababysitting co-op. Swap pre-made dinners with tions that had to be made. She came to him a friend. Delegate appropriately at work. Learn and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my to ask for advice from people who love you sister has left me to do the work by myself ? but will also be honest when you are doing too Tell her to help me!’ much or holding yourself to ridiculously high ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you standards. People you listen to when they tell are worried and upset about many things, but you that you are stretched too thin and need to few things are needed — or indeed only one. take a step back. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 15:22: Hilary Cobb not be taken away from her.” “Without counsel plans fail, but with many Martha’s priorities not only kept her from time with Jesus, advisers, they succeed” (NLT). If you find yourself feeling but it made her resentful and frustrated. Emotional exhaustion emotionally exhausted or burnt out, build up or reach out to results from feeling like you have little control over your life your support network. and eventually leads to bitterness and resentment. Learning These are only a few techniques. Interestingly, they are not to prioritize and define your schedule can help you regain a anything new; many of us have heard these at one point or anstronger sense of control (which reduces emotional exhausother. However, too many people struggle with actually impletion). menting them and find themselves on the verge of burnout. Adjust your expectations. There is a difference between If you find that even with taking these steps, you are still standards and overly high expectations. It is reasonable to have worn out, edgy and irritable, please seek help. Find a solid a good work ethic and be an involved, caring parent. Howcounselor, consult your pastor, meet with a mentor, spend time ever, many of the clients I see with emotional exhaustion have in prayer. unreasonably high expectations for themselves to be “perfect,” In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take so when they make a mistake (they forgot to sign their child’s my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and permission slip, missed an appointment, or didn’t attend a humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” lunch meeting), they beat themselves up emotionally (“I’m a Don’t let the popular culture tell you that we were made to failure as a parent / worker / spouse”). barely make it through the day. God wants us to rest, and He Striving to be a “perfect parent” can be detrimental to your gives us the tools to do so. We just have to use them. n mental health and will contribute to a sense of emotional exhaustion, so tempering your expectations and reminding Hilary Cobb is the owner of Still Waters Behavioral Health in Middleyourself that it is okay to make mistakes can be helpful. Find your tribe. We often view seeking help as “weakness” ton, Idaho and blogs about God, marriage and parenting at Blessed By His Love. Find her at www.blessedbyhislove.com. or that being honest about our struggles will reflect badly on
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Christian Living | November / December 2018 35