The End Of Your Rope

I have a type A personality. By my very nature I am driven, much to the chagrin of others who are not like me. I struggle with balance in my life. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I feel inadequate, ready to blow at any moment, at the end of my rope. I suppose you don’t have to be a certain personality type to have those same struggles.

I’ve also discovered I can’t love others in a pure, wholesome way, when I’m at the end of my emotional rope. Sometimes I wonder how many relationships have been ripped apart because the people involved failed to take care of themselves emotionally? I would guess a lot!

Here are three habits that help me recharge emotionally when I have nothing left to give.

Solitude. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”. Jesus understood that our emotions are like a battery. If you plug one lightbulb into a battery, it will last for a fairly long time. If you plug in 100 lights, the battery will drain very quickly. Many of us have so many lights plugged in, our battery is shot. You can’t recharge anybody else—you can’t give love—if your own battery is drained. You recharge when you get away by yourself.

Play. “Jesus came enjoying life” (Matthew 11:19 PH). He was the most people-focused, ministry-intensive person who ever lived, yet he took the time to have fun. Certain activities recharge us emotionally; they literally re-create our energy and enthusiasm for life. We all have different activities that recharge us because we’re all made differently. Find out what recharges you emotionally and make time for it.

Laughter. Proverbs 17:22 says, “Being cheerful keeps you healthy” (GNT). Studies prove that when we laugh, it increases our number of T-cells, which raises our immunity level. Laughter is good for your health. Humor is God’s gift to us. Remember, God has a sense of humor—he made you and me!

To be emotionally balanced, take God very seriously but don’t take yourself seriously. Learn to laugh at your limitations. There is plenty of material. If you only laugh and enjoy life when your problems are all solved, you’ll never enjoy life. There is hope at the end of your rope.