Overcoming Emotional Fatigue

 All I needed was a little rest.  I hoped a little sleep would allow me to escape the many frantic thoughts racing through my mind. I was so tired, exhausted from the overwhelming emotions inside my heart.  There was so much at stake.  I already couldn’t focus.  And then the phone rang.  “Oh gosh, not now. Why Lord? This is not the right time for this.” What to do. What to do!? I know the right way to handle this, but the wrong way feels so much better right now. 

I hate being emotionally fatigued. Stress, anxiety, worry, pain, discomfort, lack of control over my circumstances...all of these things lead to an overwhelming sense of fatigue in my mind and emotions.  It’s a very dangerous place for any woman because it makes us vulnerable and unstable. Personally, I recognize that it’s in this place that the enemy comes after me with his best offense. 

You see, when I’m battling intense emotions, if I’m not vigilant, it takes me “off my game” spiritually.  I don’t pay as much attention to the enemy because I’m soooo consumed with how I feel.  In this place, I’m at my weakest spiritually, and I lose sight of the fact that my enemy is always watching and walking about seeking whom he may devour. When I’m in a weakened state, I become his prime target.

The same goes for you.  I’m sure if you think back over the mistakes you’ve made or situations you’ve gotten caught up in, much like me it was during a time when you were spiritually weakened.  This weakened state was most likely prompted and accompanied by an overwhelming emotional place – heart-break, disappointment, loneliness, fear – any of these and so many other emotions, has the ability to weaken a woman spiritually. 

This is when the enemy attacks.  When you’re strong, he is waiting for the right opportunity.  He never backs off, but he’s in no hurry to attack you.  He knows that while you’re strong spiritually, it is more difficult to lure you away from your commitment to God.  It’s harder to catch you unaware and off guard.  So he waits, patiently, for he also knows that if you’re ever “off your game”, you’re vulnerable.  And this is when he will attack.

Have you ever wondered why your temptations seem heightened when you’re battling emotions?  Have you ever made stupid mistakes and then wondered afterwards how you fell for such an obvious trick of the enemy? 

It’s because when your emotions are heightened, your spirit is weakened and this is all the enemy and your flesh need to lead you astray.  This is why we are admonished to remain sober & vigilant at all times.  We can ill-afford to be caught off guard when the enemy attacks.  We have to be sober even in a weakened or emotional place.

When you’re battling emotions, you should never go into hiding and isolation. This is the danger zone!  Sure, it’s tempting to just stay away from everyone, not answer phone calls/texts or interact with anyone at all.  Bad idea! The reason this is dangerous is because when you are isolated, you hide from everyone except YOURSELF.  Say it with me: Danger! Danger!

Once alone with yourself and your emotions, the enemy has an even greater chance of convincing you to take one of his options because his options will always be directly associated with your desires and emotions.  You cannot fight the enemy alone in a weakened state. You need the help of others who can help you recognize his antics and fight them off.  

Because we are to bear each other’s burdens, when you’re weak, I need to be strong for you.  When I’m weak, I need you to be strong for me. There must be someone with whom you can share everything you’re thinking and feeling that is also capable of helping you overcome those emotions & feelings with principle & truth.  If you disengage from other believers while you are weak, you will fall into temptation and sin.  It’s inevitable.

So how do we avoid this trap as women? I mean really, God gave us these emotions, right? And certainly, He gave them to us for a reason, yeah? We obviously need them to be nurturing and caring women, wives & mothers. So how is it that our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness?? 

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~ Matthew 26:41

Although it is no easy feat, you and I are capable of overcoming emotional fatigue in a manner that protects our spiritual walk with God.  Here are a few things that I’ve learned throughout the many battles of my own. I try to practice them daily so that I’m never caught off guard.  I can’t promise you that you will ever conquer the emotional beast once and for all.  But I can tell you that if you stay sober and vigilant in your daily walk with God, you will get better at managing your emotions, even at the height of the battle.

·         Awareness – recognize and acknowledge when you’re emotional. You have to get good at recognizing your own emotional shifts.  Every woman is different and there are personal situations that provoke strong emotions in YOU specifically.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re immune to emotions. Part of being sober and vigilant is being aware of your own emotional triggers.  Take a moment to reflect on your triggers and write them down for your remembrance. 

·         Accountability – successful emotion management requires strong accountability.  Never shut yourself off from your accountability partner(s). No matter what you’re battling, you need someone with whom you can be completely naked and transparent.  We need to hold each other accountable and when necessary, stand guard & watch while the other one rebuilds her strength. 

·         Self-Control – regardless of how we feel, we are ALWAYS capable of making the right decision.  We are promised that no matter the temptation, God always provides a way of escape.  (1 Corin 10:13) Take it and take it immediately! The longer you engage temptation, the more likely you are to give into it.  Trust me; choosing righteousness, no matter how difficult, will always work out for your good. Choosing unrighteousness, no matter how much better it feels in the moment, will always end poorly and lead to unpleasant consequences that last much longer than the moment.  Choose wisely.

 Have a great week!