Are you feeling uninspired?
Have you ever heard of the “Doldrums”? Sailors of the past dreaded the doldrums, it was bad news — it occurred when their sailing ships hit areas of complete calm where the winds disappear altogether, trapping the boats for periods of days or weeks. Colloquially, the "doldrums" are a state of inactivity, mild depression, listlessness, or stagnation.
Are there times when you feel uninspired, unexcited, weary?
We seem to just run out of steam and even thinking about cooking dinner is almost impossible.
I certainly have and I am sure you have too.
It can hit us when we least expect it and pull us down quickly. It happens to women at home, women who go off to work, women with children and women with no children. This feeling of weariness and being uninspired can hit any of us throughout the year, it doesn't not discriminate. What is important to remember is that this is normal and all women feel this way from time to time. However, remaining in this state of mind is not healthy and we need to get out of it as soon as possible and of course there is an answer . . .
. . . it is at these times we need to draw closer to God and spend more time in pray, pouring out our frustrations, sharing our troubles. God listens even when we sit in silences, even when we say very little or shed a tear. And in no time at all you (and I) will feel so much better.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Bathing in the Word of God by reading the bible, listening to hymns as you work (which I am doing now as I write), reading inspiring Christian books, going for a quiet walk or chatting and laughing with other christian women (especially over tea and cake😊) can all make the world of differences and help us out of the doldrums. It will be like watering the flowers after a hot spell in summer — you will feel like a "well watered garden" ready to go.
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden. Jeremiah 31:12
It is still January and we have many more months in the year. Be ready when the doldrums hit and you run out of inspiration and energy. Don't just sit there feeling sorry for yourself, start praying and drawing closer to God as He is your answer to all your problems this year.
Thank you for the encouragement, Jo. I wish that we could sit down over tea and cake sometimes! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe verse in Jeremiah is especially lovely to me tonight. I want to write about things I've learned from gardening and that verse is just perfect for that train of thought.
God bless you this week, my friend.
It has been a hot and sunny day, then suddenly clouds appears and just over top of us it poured with rain, good heavy rain for about 10 mins - a perfect example of a "well watered garden"!! The garden was feeling hot and weary (like I was) and the rain has made all the differences.
DeleteI too would love to sit down and enjoy tea and cake with you - one day, God willing.
Have a wonderful week :)
I didnt know that about sailors! Yes we all go through those down times...but a part of life. You made many good point and He is the answer!
ReplyDeleteSailors hated the doldrums as they could find themselves trapped for weeks on end and no way of getting out of them until a breeze arrived. No longer a problem for our modern ships!!
DeleteThanks for dropping by :)
Brilliant Jo! Another great post - good to hear I am not alone =)
ReplyDeleteYou are not - we are all in the doldrums from time to time - but unlike those ships of old - we have friends and family that can help pull each other out :)
DeleteYes, this especially rings true because I have been "snowed in" pretty much all month! God blessed me with a very spiritually refreshing weekend and I am feeling inspired yet again. Your words are true that walks, hymns, and drawing near the Father can bring us back to life!
ReplyDeleteKelsey
acupofteawithkelsey.blogspot.com
Please feel free to send me some of your snow and I will send you some sunshine - it has been very hot here and snow sounds quite nice :) Only the other morning I was listening to some familiar hymns and it was so refreshing and pleasant way to start the day :)
DeleteI do that doldrum dance far too much, and for whatever reason, prayer, study and worship has not previously entered my mind as something I could do to ward off the listlessness. Part of me wants to hide in embarrassment and part of me wants to jump for joy at this amazing 'discovery'. Does that make any sense?
ReplyDeleteIt does - just give it a go and see what works for you. I find music is a great lifter of the spirit (I'm listening to some as I write to you). Yesterday I spent the morning studying Pricilla in the bible and found it so interesting and I learnt all sorts of things. Have a wonderful day :)
DeleteI'm definitely in a period of the doldrums right now, Jo. Thank you so much for this reminder that I'm not alone and that, through God's comfort and the support of Christian sisters, I can come out of them!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly are not - I think we all fall into the doldrums, often without realising it but once there, not sure how to climb out. However, just remember that being in the doldrums isn't a necessarily bad place to be in the short term - it gives us time to reflect and think but don't stay too long :))
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