From a Place of Emptiness

Being in a place of emptiness is teaching me a valuable lesson.

What I am putting into my mind and heart is what will come out. For the last few weeks I have been trying to write blogs and be more loving and encouraging to my family. Instead, I have found that I am mentally and emotionally dry, used up and exhausted. But why? After going through the She Reads Truth Lent Bible study, I stopped reading my Bible. I got busy and tired, and my daily reading of inspiration and truth fell out of my schedule. If I know what happens when I deplete my source of encouragement, why do I drop that out of my schedule? Part of it is that I am busy being a mom, running my business and then another part is that I am focusing on the wrong things. I focus on what is happening in the lives of others, comparing myself to them and to their success. This endless cycle has left me feeling unhappy and not wanting to love on myself.

Out of busy comes nothing good. Usually I stop taking care of myself, which leads to a feeling of emptiness. Multiple cups of coffee do not help with the exhaustion when it is a spiritual exhaustion as well. When I am empty of encouragement, I am not able to function to the best of my ability and pour love and encouragement into others.

“the grass is green where you water it”

When I read this the other day, it hit a chord. To me it was saying~ instead of being dissatisfied and focusing on another person’s ‘green grass’ you focus on tending yours, and your own will soon be green.  Sometimes it is very difficult to be a small business owner. It is exhilarating to be your own boss, make your own schedule and see progress being made. It is also difficult at times because you see many of your peers having success, or at least portraying success. I get wrapped up in watching them and forget to turn the focus back on myself. This creates a poor outlook on my own business. Focusing on others also plays games with my heart as I envy the success of someone else. Between these two other focuses, I am not surprised that this period of time has been discouraging and tiring.

I got back into the Bible this week. I hesitated because I have been exhausted by a season of push in my business and an eight month old who still does not sleep through the night. This change has been good. It is good to receive and be poured into and encouraged. When I am spiritually and emotionally full, I am capable of giving out of fullness instead of empty, dry nothing.

Do you feel like you need to take steps to start filling your thirsty soul?

• Be intentional about making good choices to refresh yourself.
• Decide that you will take 5 minutes a day to take care of yourself. Check out the {First 5 App}  from Proverbs 31 Ministries 
• Understand that in order to take care of others, you need to take care of yourself first.

~We would love to hear how you are being more intentional about taking time to care and refresh yourself each day! Please comment below or join the conversation on our private forum for women in business to stay connected {Here}