“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Jesus never said to avoid what we’re feeling and put on a plastic Christian smile…He said, “Come to Me…”

Avoiding what you’re feeling, denying the brokenness in your heart, and shoving down what’s weighing in all for the sake of appearing to be spiritually solid is not sustainable. This can so easily lead to dips of depression and anxiety that can paralyze or push you to reach for unhealthy coping mechanisms to mask what you are feeling.

I’ve been there.

Keeping busy.

Overeating.

Vegging out with entertainment at your fingertips (eh-hem, social media).

Alcohol, drugs, a high need for fitness…even a constant need to go, be, serve, and do to avoid what’s aching in your heart.

Some of us are really good at disguising our inner turmoil with productivity. So, in truth, not every coping mechanism is harmful in appearance, but all of them will lead us away from the light and free life that Jesus paid for.

Busy is not better.

We have to know what’s driving us—if it ain’t peace, it ain’t Jesus.

Just sayin’.

For me, trying to be strong and ignoring what I was feeling, led me to overeat and veg out with TV (this was before smartphones and social media—yep, I just dated myself). This cycle led me to deep depression and isolation that kept me in the loneliest prison…and I needed out!

Here’s what I learned:

1. Denying what I’m feeling doesn’t make it go away and faking strong when I’m not blocks God from being my strength when I need Him the most.
2. Food and entertainment addiction has the same dopamine release that makes you feel good momentarily but comes with a serious crash, creating heavy exhaustion, and depression deepens. Overstimulation with screens and visual entertainment increases brain activity. An overstimulated mind increases panic attacks and anxiety, and then the big crash of depression comes. Look it up. These “escapes” will not lead you to the inner peace your soul is longing for.
3. When I learned to intentionally remove everything that was my automatic go-to for comfort and go directly to God instead, my emotions that were shoved down surfaced. To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming at first, but that’s when I met the healing touch of Jesus, and His peace that surpasses human understanding met me.

Friend,

Let’s stop faking strength and keeping busy and turn to Him in our most vulnerable moments so we can experience supernatural strength and lasting peace that can only come from Him.

Pray with Me, 

Jesus, I need you. I’ve been turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms instead of turning to you. Forgive me for not trusting you with everything that’s been weighing on my heart. Today, I’m releasing it all to you. I know you are good, and I know you will be my strength and peace — I trust you. Holy Spirit, show me how to walk each day in step with you and teach me how to live out the light and free life Jesus paid for. 

Challenge:

Don’t just read these words, pray the quick prayer and move on…this way of living needs to be walked out with intentionality. Recognize the moments throughout the day that cause you to check out and instead use them as an opportunity to check in with Him.

Much love, J

P.S. If today’s devotional spoke to you and you’d like to go deeper in establishing this way of living with God, my book, Ripple Effect: A Journey into God’s Heart that Will Change You from the Inside Out, is a great resource! CLICK HERE for your signed copy or CLICK HERE to order on Amazon!