Sacrifice of Self

You’re wearier than weary, and it’s taking everything in you to keep on going… Winter is hard.

Bad weather and sickness keep you from getting the breath of fresh air and sunshine you so desperately crave.

Fatigue. Cabin fever. Vitamin D deficiency. Call it what you will. You’re tired, and you need a change.

This is legit tiredness. When every moment, every breath, every response that is not a reaction is a sacrifice. A sacrifice of self, selfishness, self-focus, self-reliance.

This is it. Moment of truth. This is where you find out just what you’re made of and just who you’re serving.

What will you do with how you are feeling? Where will you turn in your weakness?

Who is your strength, your ever-present help in any and all kinds of trouble?

Why is it not ok for our kids to groan and complain, but we justify our attitudes when we face the disaster that is the kitchen, the mine field that is the play room, or the grievance that is the dawdling children at bedtime.

Even if it’s reflected only inwardly, in our heart of hearts, it’s still a complaint.

We drill the message of “do all things without complaining” into our kids. But how quickly we forget the heart and soul of it when we face the mundane, the monotonous, the continuous cycle of life as a mom.

Sitting at the kitchen table, fighting off distraction, opening the word, bending in prayer, the little voices call – earlier than we’d like or expected. Frustration mounts. Don’t you know I need my time with God?!

Pencil sketches on the wall. Permanent marker on the table. Paint on the wood chairs. Milk spilled. Anger overflows. Why can’t you be more careful?! What were you thinking?!

Another Lego injury. Another broken glass. Another pile of laundry still not folded and put away. Another little heart wounded by words, harsh and quick. We don’t really mean it…. or do we?

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34b)

I don’t believe we mean for the nasty to overflow. But the reality is, it’s sitting there, just under the surface, because we are allowing our sin natures, our weariness and weakness, to rule us, instead of allowing Christ to reign through us.

When you’re there, in the thick of it, bone-tired and feeling discontent – FREEZE! Hold it right there! Remember Who called you to this, and He Who called you, is Faithful (1 Thess. 5:24).

  • Resist the temptation to pick yourself up and carry your burdens – leave them at the feet of Jesus. For he is MORE than able.
  • Stop and pray, change the path you’re heading down.
  • Turn on some worship music and restore your perspective.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

~ Romans 12:1

  • Talk to your husband, or a friend who has been there or is in a similar circumstance. Get prayer, get encouraged and get refreshed.
  • Steer clear of the computer and internet, they won’t bring the satisfaction you need. Seek the Lord in His word.
  • Remember – It is the Lord Christ you are serving! (Colossians 3:23)
  • Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)
  • Whatever is true… think on such things (Phil 4:8).
  • Set your heart and mind on things above (Col 3:1-2).
When you just can’t seem to catch a break… your breath…withdraw and seek the peace you need to keep on.
Jesus withdrew to the garden and prayed. Rose early, and prayed. He was God, yet he sought God through prayer.
Oh sweet, tired, momma – Daughter of the King, Woman of God, I pray this for us today, that through Christ living in me, we are able.
rain down

Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to SEEK THE LORD,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12