Choosing my Words when I am Tired
My week has been so tumultuous, packing, cleaning, moving, unpacking…… I still don’t know where most things are. No, I lie, they are in a box somewhere in one of the rooms.
I was going to be so organized. All the boxes are labelled but the removalists and the helpers were coming in at such a “rate of supply” if there is such a thing, that I got overwhelmed. As they entered the front of the garage, I tried to direct them to which room or where to go at least. I was inundated so much with an onslaught of boxes; I ended up just stating “Leave them here.” (In the garage – so no car will be parked there for a while.)
Not what I really wanted to happen. Ah well.
I don’t go as fast as I used to anymore, in all things. The body starts seizing up earlier than it used too. Often by early afternoon I need a break. Just to get the muscles to relax a bit and recover. I have told myself, it will take longer than expected. That way, hopefully, I won’t get too stressed and too grumpy at everyone, especially my husband.
Do you do that?
When you are pushed in one area of your life, sometimes other areas have to give. When I am under the pump, sometimes my patience wears a bit thin.
I really try hard as I grow in Christ to not lose my patience or lash out with a mean tongue especially to my loved ones. Sad to say that they are often the ones that get my tiredness delivered on the tongue.
Do you watch your language, your words, your tone even when you are extra tired or stressed?
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
Proverbs 21:23 NLT
and you will stay out of trouble.
Oh such good advice. Take heed to this.
Often there is enough trouble of its own so don’t add on top of that our unheeded tongues.
As we were putting together the furniture like Bruce’s desk (parts were missing) and appliances like the washing machine, (The pipe to empty the machine of water has disappeared??) I realised how true this was.
I can get all stressed about these types of occurrences or as I’ve learnt to shrug them off I can:
- Look up where to buy a spare part, and where the closest laundromat is;
- Thank God that we have a house to live in and;
- Remember tomorrow is another day to solve these issues.
Jesus did say,
“… do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt 6:34 NIV
May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’
Love
Rosemary
Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When you are stressed and tired how do you treat other people?
Have you learnt to choose your words carefully when you are in stressful circumstances?
Are there ways that your faith in Christ has helped you to remain calm when you are pushed to breaking point?
7 Comments
Maureen
Rosemary this is a wonderful reminder! I don’t understand why it’s so easy to be kind and patient to strangers and short with the people I love. I’m working on this. Thank you!
Cheryl Grace
Rosemary, be kind to yourself, and take each day slowly as it comes. Rest when you need to. Everything will come together before too long. I know I need to think before I speak when I get frustrated with things not going the way I want them to. God bless.
Kathy O'Connor
Rosemary this is a constant battle for me. Keeping my mouth shut. Lots of time I close doors and do not open them due to fact that I do not want to deal with the person or the situation. I walk away. Now not in my marriage or my kids bit with my stepmom and stepsisters. Thank you for being real. ❤️
Kim Knott
I’m sure this is an issue with most people especially while driving and when dealing with lots of people. I’m working on not swearing or put downs while driving, it’s been difficult. Shifting house is said to be one of the most frustrating times causing friction within families, it’s unpleasant especially if you can’t get it finished in the required time frame. X
Dianne Naude
So so true Rosemary. The struggle is very real. Your description of how our loved ones bear the brunt of our words of tiredness, stress or being overwhelme is absolutely spot on! I have been feeling so guilty about this and praying for patience and self-control, that I would be able to take a deep breath and be mindful of my words rather than lashing out. I also pray Psalm 141:3 every morning: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Please help me, Lord God, in my weakness. Pray that God would bless you as you faithfully minister to others with your words.
Monica Mary
Dear Rosemary, in two days time I am about to be tested in the way you described…. I am moving house and no one quite knows what they are doing! You have prepared my tongue for me. Thank you.🤗
Valerie Simms
Thank you Rosemary for your sincerity when you share about the difficulties you are going through in your life! Yes!!! I empathize totally, about how difficult it can be to stop words coming out our mouths when we are stressed, tired and dare I say frustrated!!! It usually means for me, to go anywhere that is quiet and pray to the Lord, about how sorry I am! Even if I feel justified with my response!!! Then I look for a quiet moment to be alone with a member of my family, and say sorry, and most of the time, I explain why I reacted the way I did…But do any of us also feel frustrated that what was so easy for us to do in the past, in multitasking is not that way now??? I tend to forget that I am no longer 25, but 65!!! What tends to calm me down so often, is to go out and walk alongside the river and find a quiet spot to sit, and pray to the Lord, pouring my heart out to our Loving God…It is amazing after some time, what I hear the Lord say to my heart and my mind!!! I do hope and pray for you Rosemary, that you can find some time for peace and relaxation, during this stressful period of moving into your new home, along with everything else you are doing right now! I’ll be praying for you Rosemary and Bruce…
In Christ’s love
Valerie