Have you ever been tired to the point of tears? You feel the tears coming and you don’t even know why. You just need to cry. What a sinking feeling.
It happens all too easily when we get stretched a bit too far (or a lot too far).
Things that bring us to tears
From what is probably a much long list, here are the things I can think of that can bring us to tears when we are stretched too far:
- Anger
- Fear
- Guilt
- Regret
- Exhaustion
- Limitations
- Frustration
- Sadness
- Chronic pain
- Complex disease state
- Chemo that seems like it just won’t end
Can you relate to any of these?
When we are faced with obstacles we don’t know how to get around or just too much of the same obstacle over and over, it’s easy to reach your tipping point. This is your tear tipping point.
Bucket analogy
I have a bucket analogy to share with you. Consider you have a bucket of energy, satisfaction, love, confidence, and all things good. Each difficult situation, difficult barrier, unkind word, negative situation sloshes water out of your bucket.
When you get tired to the point of tears, your bucket is empty. That bucket dries up while you’re busy doing all of the things that drain the water. It often dries up before you even know your supply is low. Then, the tears start to flow.
Keeping Water in your Bucket
So how do you keep water in your bucket? You can pick your favorite way; the one that brings you the most joy and peace. Here are some options patients and friends have told me about:
- Quiet, alone time to meditate or pray
- Walks or quiet sitting in nature
- Time with friends who life your spirits
- Time with family who fill you with love
- Exercise (endorphins are great bucket fillers)
- Dancing
- Singing
- Reading
- Concerts
I’m sure that list could go on and on. The key is to fit these things (your best things) into your schedule on a regular basis. Fit them in before your bucket runs dry.
Story
This blog was inspired when I heard of a woman who is always upbeat and joyful. Her first child was stillborn. Her second died at a few days of age. Her third was killed in a car accident in his first year of college. Her fourth was permanently injured in war. She certainly has reason to be tired to the point of tears. And yet she is upbeat and full of hope and joy. She certainly knows the secret to keeping her bucket full.
For more information about how to keep your bucket full, please contact us at Meds MASH at 410-472-5078 or www.medsmash.com/contact. We look forward to talking with you!
BIBLICAL APPLICATION
Do you find yourself always caring for others and not considering your own needs? So many people do. Most of us find ourselves in a caregiver role at some point in our life. For some, this is always true as they transition from the care of children to grandchildren to aging family members.
At some point, your ability to care drains. This happens when you haven’t paid attention to your bucket. Your bucket is dry.
Consider Jesus. Jesus is God in human form. So, he knows everything! He knows exactly how humans are made to function. He made us! And when he was in human form, he made his own bucket refilling a high priority.
Here are some of the passages where Jesus went off alone to pray.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
If Jesus always made it a priority to stop and be alone and pray, then our need for that is at least as great! Since we are so far from perfect, I propose our need is even greater.
In addition to the many times in scripture that Jesus stopped to pray, there are many other passages that prompt us to pray when we are in need.
Mark 11:24 ESV
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16 ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
I hope and pray this blog helps you recognize your need for self-care and for prayer. You can only do so much without taking the time to keep your bucket full. If you keep your bucket full, and you are in regular communion with God, there is no limit to what He can do through you!
Blessings,
Michelle
yourhealthandsoul 