I’m Tired; How About You?

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I’m tired. Period.

 

It’s the end of the school year, last week was the senior trip to Orlando (lots of action, little sleep), exams are next week … and graduation. Sunday I am teaching the lesson at a local assisted living facility. Two of my grandchildren have birthdays and I need to send gifts. My elderly parents have needs. My house desperately needs to be cleaned. And I’m tired.

I’m Fatigued

According to Medical News Today, “fatigue is generally different from the sleepy feeling of drowsiness, or the psychological feeling of apathy, although these might both accompany fatigue.”

Other terms to describe fatigue include:

• reduced or no energy
• physical or mental exhaustion
• lack of motivation

Fatigue, or feeling tired,  seems to be a common experience – surely sometimes everyone becomes tired. The following factors can contribute to fatigue, either alone or in combination:

• Psychological and psychosocial – stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Physical – anemia, diabetes, glandular fever, and cancer.
• Physiological – pregnancy, breast-feeding, inadequate sleep, and excessive exercise.

Many types of fatigue are not considered a medical problem. They include tiredness as a result of physical activity, emotional stress, or just plain lack of sleep The National Institute on Aging lists the following lifestyle habits that can lead to tiredness and fatigue:

• staying up too late
• having too much caffeine
• drinking too much alcohol
• eating junk food

I Feel Guilty

I have often found myself feeling guilty because of a desire to sleep (not rest, but sleep). There are definitely verses that seem to condemn the “sleepy.” However, in “The Godliness of a Good Night’s Sleep,” Scott Hubbard writes, “Scripture gives no indication that our need for nightly rest began in Genesis 3. And in fact, before the fruit was taken from the tree, before the weariness of sin weighed down the world, Adam slept (Genesis 2:21). Sleep, it seems, is no fallen necessity, nor merely a fleshly temptation, but a divine gift. Both then and now, God “gives to his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).

“And therefore, though occasions come when we must renounce sleep for the sake of something greater, Scripture gives us a more positive default posture: in Christ, God teaches us to redeem sleep. He brings our beds back to Eden, where we learn to receive sleep as healer, teacher, giver, and servant.”

What Does God Say?

I’m tired. So are you. It’s not the unforgivable sin, so how ‘bout we just go to the Word for a little encouragement. 

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 62:1 “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” 

Psalm 62:5 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”

Jeremiah 31:25 “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

I’m Tired!

I’m tired, but it’s OK. God created sleep. It’s a gift to the tired, weary, fatigued. It’s part of being human.

 

And guess what! It’s Friday!

 

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of sleep.

 

God bless you; sleep well. (Apologies for any typos … yawn!)