By Brenda Jank
“Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.”
– Author Unknown
There is a fine line between what I can do and what I should do.
This is especially true when I am operating in the “red zone,” in need of a refill and time to refuel. High capacity and high EQ (emotional quotient) people are quite adept at running hard on the fumes of an empty tank, but it comes with a price.
When this mode of operation is the rule and not the exception, it has the ability to
- sabotage our soul in a stealthy and silent manner
- increase the chaos that cortisol reeks with our immune system, hormones, sleep, and risk of cardiac disease and early death
When spread thin and running hard, hit pause before saying YES to “one more” opportunity, request, or need. Delay your “go to” response so you have time and space to ask yourself 4 questions:
- Am I currently being faithful to God’s design for work, rest, and rhythm?
- What is God’s call on my life in this season, this week, through this day? Will this new request move me closer to His overarching call or add distance, moving me further away from His plan?
- One year from now … five or ten … will this opportunity, request, need still be remembered?
- What question would those closest to me, and to Jesus, ask me as I contemplate my reply?
Living by God’s design for work, rest, and rhythm is a fine line between sacred call and self-sabotage. Allow the Spirit to lead the way to a steadfast joy in your “yeses” and your “nos”.
Brenda Jank and the Run Hard. Rest Well. team are thought leaders in the arena of Restorative Wellness. Find additional resources at www.RunHardRestWell.org. Contact us at: Brenda@runhardrestwell.org
B*ren, You nailed it in your August 30 “Fine Line”*
God had a lot in this post for me and my heart.
He so faithfully and lovingly shows up.
And when we lift our eyes to see, there is an overflow from His heart to mine.