Tired and gloomy are horrible roommates. They should not be permitted to settle in our hearts, hang curtains, and make themselves at home.
Here’s the deal …
It’s the middle of March and we Minnesotans are expecting yet another blizzard, with wind that whips sideways, icy streets, and temperatures that are … cold. Really, really cold.
During the days that feel gloomy and life feels harder, it’s easy to start to feel listless. Tired.
And when we feel listless and tired, it’s easy to get into a rut. We become very comfortable doing the same-old, same-old. We don’t open our eyes to see the good things around us – the beauty, colors, friendships. We don’t see the opportunities where we can show up and make someone’s day. We aren’t thinking of new ideas or trying new things. Because we are tired. And bored.
I’m here to remind you …
God thinks you are a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
He’s given you everything you need to get through today. (Psalm 23:1)
He has really great things planned for you. (Ephesians 3:20)
God never intended for us to live a listless, boring life. He just didn’t.
He promises us a full, abundant life – and we must do our part in living it.
So. Let’s get out of that rut. Life is too short to stay in a narrow box that offers no room for something new. Kick the sides out of that rut, stretch those muscles, breathe deeply, and look for some sunshine. And take tired and gloomy with you.
Make a change.
A few years ago, during a particularly tough season of listless and boredom, I changed my exercise clothes. And it changed my attitude. No kidding.
I had been wearing a simple pair of sweatpants. They were comfortable. They provided a lot of room for leg jiggling. But they made me feel frumpy.
I needed to get out of my rut. I needed a new thing. I chose spandex capris.
You know. The spandex leggings that I should never ever ever wear in public with a short top. The kind that holds everything in tight and you actually feel like there is no more fat to jiggle.
The leggings made a difference. They were new. I felt more energetic. Less frumpy. Like I could maybe finish the exercise routine without collapsing.
I kicked the sides out of my rut just recently again.
I stopped watching the news (too gloomy), and an old favorite TV show (changing my habits and decreasing my level of boredom).
I started reading a new book.
I started dreaming about what this season of my life could look like. And I started acting on those dreams.
Whether your rut is the weather, your job, your routine, your clothes, your friendships, your clutter … whatever your rut looks like, whatever seems boring and is stealing your joy and a full, abundant life, choose to help yourself get out of it. Try something new.
What can you do to switch things up and find a breath of fresh air?
Change your routine?
Organize the closet?
Wear something bright?
Try a new workout routine – or try a workout?
Get outside and breathe deeply (unless you’re in Minnesota in the middle of our own polar vortex)?
Read Psalm 23 and John 10:10!
Spandex capris didn’t solve any problems or drastically change my life.
But they got me out of a rut.
And getting out of the rut restored some joy.
What’s your spandex?
