12 comments

Kimberly Wagner

The Next Time You Hit the Wall

Posted on 06.20.12 by Kimberly Wagner | Twitter: @KimberlyWagner7

On the heels of weeks of activity: good family stuff, out-of-town trips, hosting visitors, and an unexpected, serious surgery for my father-in-law, I was hit with a nasty upper respiratory infection. I found myself struggling to even make it from the bed to the bathroom.

When I finally started regaining my voice and returned to the land of the living, I found myself paralyzed. Not physically, but emotionally. Do you ever feel that way? I call it “hitting the wall,” and here’s what I find helpful when that happens.

  • Revisit truth

Scripture is always the place to go. I also have a dog-eared Spurgeon devotional that I’ve marked up through the years. When I’m at a low point, it is so helpful to revisit a verse or devotional page where God has met me many times. I also use my journals to remind myself of His faithfulness. Recounting truth about God is vital for me when I’m slammed.

  • Call on a truth-speaking friend for prayer

I don’t understand all that goes on in the spiritual realm when we cry out to God together, but big things happen. When I get honest with a trustworthy friend about my need, and she cries out with me for help, God responds in a powerful way.

  • Tackle what’s on my plate in small doses

The hardest thing is actually starting when I’m overwhelmed with my workload. For the biggies that I’ve been putting off, I set a small goal and then set a timer. That gets me started, and once I accomplish a task, I have more motivation to keep going. 

  • Get some rest

When I’m in a depleted state, sometimes the best thing I can do for my body and spirit is to get some sleep. To go to bed earlier than normal. If I have opportunity, I grab a short afternoon nap. Sometimes that means giving up some computer or phone time in order to take care of my health by getting a good amount of sleep.

  • Exercise for endorphins

The last thing I feel like doing when I’ve hit the wall is exercise—I don’t even feel I can cross the room! But, just like the workload that needs to be tackled, if I set a small goal (walk to the mailbox) it gets my little endorphin buddies to work and soon my outlook is much better.

If you’re not in the wall-hitting phase today, consider saving this blog for one of those paralyzing days. Truth and encouragement are great motivators when you’re struggling to get back in the race! Do you have any tips you’d like to share?

Comments

  1. Don't be afraid to share with others. I just recently did not get a job, I was certain, and told others I was certain was God's plan for me. I was devastated and dissillusioned when I did not get it. I was so tender and raw and knew I could only get through with other sisters praying and encouraging me. I e mailed my RAW emotions and coudl feel the loved and prayers. Some did not respond (which was okay, I only asked for prayers) but some did also respond with encouragement and understanding. I could feel God answering their prayers for me, even though we were not physically praying together.
    posted by Christina
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 9:03 am
  2. Great tips!
    Last time I felt this way I really felt I was in a black hole and I was just unable to take myself by my bootstraps to feel better. I remember just calling out to my Father and telling him: "You know how I feel.. I am totally unable to change my attitude and my emotions.. I need you to do it for me.. I really need your mercy over me!" Nothing changed around me, but the next day it's like the sun came out again. I think God lets us sink into these pits so we cry out to Him and remember that He is God and that we depend on Him for our next breath. Loved this post!
    posted by Laura
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10:02 am
  3. Music helped me through a very low point in my life. One song especially was, "Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer" by the Gettys. I played it over and over, in the car, in the kitchen, in the shower and in my head. I loved every word, but the last verse says it all: ...and at the end of this long passage, in Your likeness let me wake.
    http://laughingatwinter.blogspot.com/
    posted by Julie
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10:18 am
  4. Thank you Julie. I've hit a low and been here for three months (give or take some, I've lost count and almost hope of recovery). Music is one of the threads that holds me.

    I went right to that song on my iPod and will keep it on replay. To me it's a prayer. The Lord used you to bless me today.
    posted by A Sister in need
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:00 am
  5. I just kept saying..."I know you love me...I know you love me". Hard to say at first...but it definitely helped to grow my relationship with the Lord!
    posted by clp
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 1:32 pm
  6. This was so on time for me today! Our family has gone through several very hard trials since the beginning of this year and recently I have been depressed, crying a lot and just plain exhausted from the daily battles. I recall Nancy saying that after a great victory will come a battle and I'm in one right now. I agree with you, Kim, about all of this. Sometimes I know it in my head but it takes something drastic for it to get back to my heart! So.... I just put my feet up and decided to stop being busy and rest, close my eyes for a few minutes and connect with the One who can heal my wounds! Thanks for sharing!
    posted by Barbara
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 2:26 pm
  7. I read an interesting comment today. When new things have to take place, old ones have to be destroyed and it's so true. Not easy when you're faced with a pile of rubble to see a new building, but there you go.

    Or a beautiful proverb which I'm kind of quoting "When my barn burnt down, I could see the moon brighter" (:o)

    Give it a try.
    posted by judy
    on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm
  8. Hi Kim!

    Thanks for encouragement...and good practical tips. Your tip about getting rest reminds me of what I heard one time - that sometimes sleeping ( I think it was) was the spiritual thing to do. It makes alot of sense to me!

    Blessings to you and yours!

    -Kim :) from Texas :)
    posted by Kimberly
    on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 11:34 am
  9. Please pray for me...

    I am hitting that brick way. I am a business owner/stylist and I think I am burning out. My business has slowed and I know that the Lord will supply my every need, but sometimes it that Trust issue.
    I know better, Lord help my unbelief. Bills, bills and bills, everything has a timeline.

    But thank you for the encouragement. Please tonight, or in the morning, would you mention my name (Helen) when you take time to pray!

    Thank you
    posted by Hele
    on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 10:54 pm
  10. On time word for knowing I am not alone . I lost my Father, buried him on a Friday started a new job on Monday......to much to handle.....I hit the wall. I walked out of the job and can't stop sobbing.
    posted by mary
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 2:59 pm
  11. Yup...hit that wall this past week. I'm 7 weeks pregnant and feel like I can't do a thing. Can't believe how tired and sick I have been feeling on top of work. Really needed this today.
    posted by Kay
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 4:02 pm
  12. @Mary...we are thanking the Lord He used the post as a timely word for you. We are sure sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You are indeed NEVER alone. The Lord cares (You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. Psalm 56:8) and so do we (Rom. 12:15). I am praying for you this afternoon, dear one.
    posted by Sarah, with the TW Team
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 6:43 pm

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