Do you ever feel like you’re running around, busy helping others and fulfilling your day to day chores, with little time for yourself?  Do you ever feel unappreciated?

Some face sleepless nights and others feel like they are running on half battery, as it were, with little or no time to recharge.  Physically, mentally and spiritually, when we are not at our best, it can lead to extreme cases of irritability, and even sadly, mental illness and breakdown.

When we do something out of kindness and with no need for compensation, we do it for the glory of God and love of our fellow man.  As Christians, we are expected to serve, and the Bible says, not to count the cost, save for the knowledge of doing God’s will.

However, God also knows we are finite physical beings that need rest and to take time out.  Look at the example of Christ in the wilderness or in the Garden of Gethsemane, Where Jesus’ disciples were tested and chose to rest as the authorities came to arrest Jesus.

Jesus took time out to meditate with his Father and to strengthen himself for what he was about to face.  There are times when we must remove ourselves from a situation, and certainly, when, we feel unappreciated, stressed or uncomfortable.  The Bible reminds us in the book of Genesis that even God rested after his labour of creating the universe, so there we have another example.

Today we have the example of carers who seemingly sacrifice and put their lives on hold when looking after someone.  Carers can be any age, from a child looking after a sick parent (and this disrupts their social and educational life) to an elderly person looking after a sick spouse.  Should we find ourselves in a similar position, we must not be too stubborn or proud to ask for help, should we need it.

I (Nick) was a carer for my mother who had vascular dementia.  It was at times, very hard, but I thank the Lord that I had time out and was able to return home in the evening when my daughter came to relieve me and share the caring duties.  Many carers are not afforded this kind of support.

If you are in a situation where you feel unappreciated, stressed, fatigued, etc, help is available.  Speak to your pastor or church friends in confidence, your local GP, Social Services, local charities, even the Samaritans.

Spiritually speaking, as the Word of God says, we must give everything in prayer to our Heavenly Father.

Our Lord understands the situations we find ourselves in.

1 John 4:7-8: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God”.

Psalm 136:26: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His love endures forever”.

2 Romans 5:8 “Not only did Christ die for us, but he died while we were sinners.  Christ died while we hated him and turned him away.  That is true love.  Christ took all of our burdens on his shoulders so that we could have eternal life”.

 

God bless you x.

 

Nick.