When To Take A Break

You might have noticed my less-than-consistent posting over the past couple of weeks. My brain was crispy to the point of not being excited about the things I was doing. I was cooking for the sake of having something to write about. My craft projects were done just enough to get pictures of them. And I was writing about Scripture that was on my heart ages ago but I felt like I was just putting words on the screen without devotion to them.

It was at that point that I knew I had to take a break. I was no longer blogging to give God the glory for how He has been working in my life, but trying to keep up with a self-imposed goal. It was trying to do this under my own power that sucked out my energy and left me empty.

How do you know when it's time to stop a project, passion or idea?

1. You're not doing it with all your heart.
2. You're doing it because you told yourself you would.
3. You're trying to keep up appearances.
4. You've lost sight of why you started doing it in the first place.
5. You're more concerned about getting it done and moving on than working as unto the Lord.

When I reached several of these points at the same time, it was clear I needed a little time away. We ate food that hadn't been photographed. I finished several projects that were partially done. I cleaned and organized for the sole purpose of having a welcoming home. I planned my schedule only a day or two in advance so I could be prepared for anything God wanted from me.

And guess what - I'm recharged. I'm excited about sharing ideas with you. I'm driven to spend more time with the Lord and less time worrying about silly little things. I've been given some great creative inspiration to use what I have instead of buying more. It's been a refreshing time without the pressures of accomplishing and performing.

So what can you do when you've reached your limit?

1. Walk away. For an hour, for a day, for a week ... however long it takes you to unload that weight.
2. Immerse yourself in God's word. Spend some of the time you're not using on those projects to recharge your battery with Scripture.
3. Pray for desire and inspiration. You have not because you ask not.
4. Learn a new skill or technique that will take you in a different direction for a while.
5. Ask a sister in Christ to help you. Have her come look at what you're working on and give input from a different perspective. Ask for advice, instruction or just a word of encouragement to prepare you to dive back in.

Finally, I ask you to check your heart attitude before you continue. I had to understand my motives behind what I do before I could move any further. Without God's hand and blessing on my work, it will never be productive or fulfilling. Without resting in Him, there will always be more to do and less time to do it in. Instead, I ask Him to fill me every morning with the passion to do exactly what He wants me to do today and give me the knowledge and talent to do them the best I can.

What are you involved in right now that is draining you physically, emotionally and spiritually? Is today the day to step away and ask God to revive you?

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