I know I’m burned out when I start wishing invisibility was a real superpower so I could use it while hiding under my sheets in bed for a couple days.. maybe weeks.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d miss my people while I was hiding, but some quiet time with no stressors sounds insanely peaceful right now.
The world tells me that the cure to burn out is self-care.
I get it. We need to prioritize our well being.
We need to give ourselves a break when we are exhausted. We need to show ourselves grace and compassion.
But if I’m honest.. I just can’t care for myself.
At least not in the soul-quenching type of way.
I cannot give my soul the deep rest, the light burden, the recharging that it needs.
I know that because I’ve tried.
Not even a bubble bath, a nap, a good workout, or a vacation can do that for me (although those all sound amazing).
Only Jesus can.
Only Jesus can be my true resting spot.
Only He can carry my heavy burdens.
Only He can reenergize my soul.
I get the whole self-care thing, but what I really need is Jesus soul-care.
Because the truth is, even if I do these self-care things, I still have to come back to reality.
I still have to take on each of my responsibilities and do this life.
If I don’t go to Jesus for a heart-change, for a perspective shift, I’ll land right back where I am, no matter how hard I try self-care.
Because He is the one who changes me.
He’s the one who helps me walk through the difficult times.
He’s my source for peace, strength and rest.
I am not my own source for that.
I’m not saying don’t do the things you enjoy or that make you feel relaxed, in fact I think you should!
I’m just saying don’t depend on “self-care” to fix your soul.
We were created to need Jesus, not ourselves.
And His invitation as our refuge, our safe spot, is warm and welcoming. He is just waiting for us to go to Him, His arms wide open.
Let’s find real rest for our weary souls.
“My soul finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken”
-Psalm 62: 1-2
~Kelli Bachara, The Unraveling Blog
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