Overcoming Exhaustion

I’m exhausted!

Not from physical exertion, but mental fatigue. I found myself there a few weeks ago and realized that I was laxing in the principles that I have learned over the years in Scripture. I realized that even though I have not lacked in my time with the Lord or in my studying of His Word, I was operating with a lot of “thought” concerning the future. I had way too many thoughts and distractions operating at the same time and was being overwhelmed.

Like I said, this was a few weeks ago and the condition I was in lasted for about two days. On the third day is when I realized that I was mentally exhausted. And get this, I was just starting my day! I thought, “How in the world can I be mentally tired?” This is when I realized that I was overcome by not doing the things I know to do to stop myself from becoming this way.

I recognized (after the fact) the things I was doing that opened the door to this mental attack. I recognized what was causing this in me and so I decided to look into “mental fatigue” to find out what exactly causes it in others. This is what I found.

Mind clutter: Science says “clutter” triggers the production of cortisol (a stress hormone). So, the more cluttered your headspace is, the more stressed out you will be. In addition, prolonged stress can manifest into brain fatigue.

Information Overload: Psychology teaches that the human brain can only focus effectively on so much information at a time. As a person tries to complete more tasks simultaneously, his or her efficacy in dealing with each individual task diminishes in a phenomenon called “cognitive overload.” Studies show that not only can too much information lead to confusion, frustration, and erroneous conclusions, leading to experiencing the negative consequences of “information overload.”

With Google and other search engines, we have just too much information available and most of that information contradicts itself with each other! Studies also show that information overload can also negatively affect decision-making. Some studies suggest that when a person receives too much information it can actually lead to worse decisions.

Perfectionism: Psychologists say that like any extreme trait, perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. If you do not pay attention, it can easily turn into a self-sabotaging habit. Perfectionists are motivated to make the absolute best choice — even when doing so isn’t strictly necessary. This can lead to decision paralysis. They are also more likely to ruminate and worry excessively over information they receive.

Lack of sleep: According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep to stay healthy. Getting enough sleep is critical for brain rejuvenation. Sleep deprivation can make your mind foggy from weariness, adversely affecting your mood, focus, alertness and productivity. An overworked mind will rob you of rest and sleep!

Avoidance and procrastination: Contrary to popular belief, procrastinating is more taxing for your brain than working on the task you’ve been putting off. Studies show that when we procrastinate or avoid, our anxiety about whatever we’re avoiding tends to increase. This, in turn, depletes your mental energy.

Other potential causes include medication, stress and ailments such as depression, fibromyalgia and autoimmune disease. Emotionally challenging experiences like divorce or death of a loved one can also contribute to brain fatigue. Therefore, as you see, there can be many causes of mental fatigue. Now back to my situation.

When I realized what was happening, I had to turn things around. I recognized that stressing or constantly processing thought about the issues today and even events that may or may not occur in the future was overloading and fatiguing my mind. If you have experienced this kind of stress, you may have noticed that the same thoughts replay over and over again in your mind and increase worry. This thought pattern does nothing to help solve the problems or issues at hand. It will only interfere with healthy practices that can activate your inner peace. Jesus lets us know that His peace-we have!
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Today I will share with you the keys of overcoming mental fatigue. I know that many of you are finding yourself in this same situation and you want out! I know that these keys work! They work for me now and they have worked for me in the past. So let’s get to it!

First, you must recognize that you are fatigued and you need out! Believe it or not, many people excuse away the need for help. They would rather have blame and excuse for feeling bad. Many love the “victim mentality.” This my friend is hopelessness. Never accept to live a life of pain, physical or mental. Jesus came to set us free from this! Why would He heal all? Why would He deliver all? Why would He give His peace and tell us to not allow ourselves to be troubled? WHY? Because He does not want us to live this type of life! Listen friend, following Jesus means to follow and accept His Word. You must receive help and health!

Secondly, you must clear your mind. Stop thinking about all the things that you cannot control. Take a break from world events or any other events that are triggering you. Give yourself a break, a time of rest for your mind. Now speak to your mind and say peace-rest now. Close your eyes and calm yourself.

Thirdly, focus now on Jesus. “You will keep him/her in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (focused) on You, because they trust in You.” (Isaiah 26:3) Perfect peace in the Hebrew is actually written, peace, peace! It is the Hebrew word “shalom.” Shalom includes blessings such as wholeness, health, quietness of soul, preservation, and completeness. God repeats peace so you will understand the importance of it for your life. Now, you must also understand that the mind will never be empty and you are going to think! You have calmed yourself; now put the Scripture we just read in your mind.

Focus on the Lord, His Word. Trust that God will help you and heal you. As you focus on this, He says that He will give you peace-peace! Remember Jesus has already told us that His peace is in us, now receive it. Say this; Jesus I accept and receive Your peace in me. Your Word says that when I focus in on you I will receive healing and a quietness of soul. Thank you Jesus for your love for me. I receive this now in Jesus name!

Now the fourth and final thing you must do is sing to the Lord. I want you to quietly start singing to the Lord. This isn’t an “American Idol” tryout. In other words if you think you can sing or not-sing! I love the Scripture “make a joyful noise to the Lord” for all of us that can’t sing, LOL! Softly sing about how God loves you. Sing about how you trust Him. Sing about His love, sing about His goodness. Sing about His peace that He gave you. Sing about how He cares about you and does not want you to be afraid or filled with anxiety. Sing to the Lord! Look at these wonderful Psalms concerning singing to the Lord. This is just a few of many!

Ps 98:1 “Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!”
Ps 96:2 “Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.”
Ps 95:1, 2 “Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.”
Ps 30:11, 12 “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!”

Now, don’t you feel better?

From this day forward when you find yourself becoming overwhelmed in thought stop yourself and follow these 4 steps: recognize the battle, clear your mind, focus on Jesus and His Word, and sing! Friends I am so proud of you all! Listen, maybe you are not in this place, but you know someone who is. Then please share this! Be a blessing to someone out there that is in need! We do not want anyone to suffer!
I love you all and am expecting nothing but the best for your lives! Walk in your peace and live in victory, mighty one!