From Dis to Re

Ever been DIScombobulated?

Webster’s dictionary –  to cause to be in a state of confusion : upset, disorient.

 

Vocabulary.com says – Discombobulate is a fun, fancy word for “confuse.” If something has put you in a state where you don’t know up from down and you can’t spell your own name, you may be discombobulated.

 

In other words – weary. So weary that you are tempted to lose heart.

 

If you are a mom, you know this state well. If you are a woman who has experienced PMS, Menopause, or both, you know this state VERY well J

 

Another way we can get discombobulated is traveling to a different time zone and experiencing jet lag.

 

Jet lag: extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a person after a long flight across several time zones.

 

I thought it was clever when I saw a news article including a picture from Mitchel Field Airport and it’s unique RE-combobulated area. Apparently if you are in a state of exhaustion and confusion from travel, Mitchel Field has a place that will help you get combobulated again – in other words, bring renewed clarity and energy to you in your every day travel.

How does this relate to us spiritually?

When I am over-tired, over-inundated, over-stimulated

Or 

When I am under-rested, under-prayed, under-hydrated

 

My health is unbalanced, leaving me in danger of being discombobulated.

 

 

It’s time to take a deep breath and assess life balances I can do something about”

 

Hydration – set a timer if needed to drink water

Rest – set a limit of computer time, and create a bridge to rest (for me it is reading)

Stimulation/Activity – learn to say yes and no.

YES – to some physical action daily – walking, stairs, stationery bicycle, elliptical, rebounder – something. Daily.

YES – to daily prayer and Bible reading – and at least 5 minutes of journaling (keeps senses active and helps brain set memory)

NO – To unreasonable demands. Set boundaries that include a mandate of rest and refreshment.

NO to call anytime – Set work hours for do-not-call (other than life-or-death emergency) work-at-home (If I don’t respect my work as work, why should I expect others to?)

 

And finally – Remember Elijah

 

Exhausted. Dehydrated. Hungry. Emotionally Spent.

He forgot about the afterglow from a mission. God showed up in power and might and answered prayer in a larger way than Elijah had imagined.

 

Yet, because he forgot to ask for or plan for emotional recuperation God had to meet him at the edge of the cliff, so to speak, and bring in reinforcements to hydrate, rest, and revive his spirit.

 

Perhaps you are or recently have been on a mission assignment from God. Did you remember to plan for (or to ask for) post-mission refreshment? If not, do it now. Set aside at least some hours, or a whole day if possible. Use the day to read, pray, hydrate, build up your strength with healthy foods and at least a few minutes of exercise (and double those minutes of rest even if you cannot sleep).

 

That’s my day tomorrow. Preparing for the next race which means building up strength and removing all encumbrances

Hebrews 12:1-3 Let us also lay aside every encumbrance…

Heb. 12:2 …fixing our eyes on Jesus, …

Heb. 12:3 … so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.