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Plug In Your Emotional Battery

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today’s Devotional is based on this passage:
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NIV).
Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel inadequate? Are you ready to blow at any moment? You can’t love others in a godly way when you’re at the end of your emotional rope. How many relationships have been ripped apart because the people involved failed to take care of themselves emotionally?

God’s Word gives us three habits that can help us recharge emotionally when we have nothing left to give.

1. Solitude. Mark 6:31 says, “So many people were coming and going…[Jesus] said to them [the disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (NIV). Jesus understood that your emotions are like a battery. If you plug one lightbulb into a battery, it will last for a fairly long time. If you plug in 100 lights, the battery will drain very quickly. Many of you have so many lights plugged in, your battery is shot. You can’t recharge anybody else—you can’t give love—if your own battery is drained. You recharge when you get away by yourself.

2. Play. The Bible says, “Jesus came enjoying life” (Matthew 11:19 PH). He was the most people-focused, ministry-intensive person who ever lived, yet he took the time to have fun. Certain activities recharge you emotionally; they literally re-create your energy and enthusiasm for life. We all have different activities that recharge us because we’re all made differently. Find out what recharges you emotionally and make time for it.

3. Laughter. Proverbs 17:22 says, “Being cheerful keeps you healthy” (GNT). Studies prove that when you laugh, it increases your number of T-cells, which raises your immunity level. Laughter is good for your health. Humor is God’s gift to us. Remember, God has a sense of humor—he made you!

To be emotionally balanced, take God very seriously but don’t take yourself seriously. Learn to laugh at your limitations. There is plenty of material. If you only laugh and enjoy life when your problems are all solved, you’ll never enjoy life.

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Plug In Your Emotional Battery written by: RW · March 23, 2009
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Comments

One Response to “Plug In Your Emotional Battery”
  1. Tina says:
    April 12, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    I was in a relationship and had to leave because I could not give any more – I was emotionally empty – so I left – and exactly as the article says – I was NOT taking care of myself at all – just giving most of my time to the exboyfriend who just wanted more.
    Since then I have started my marathon training walks and am cleaning my home from a to z – and enjoy company of friends and family.
    I want to do things for me and my little 3 loves, my cats – they really missed me during the 1.4 year I neglected them to the attention they were used to before this relationship – now they are so happy – they are my shadows or they lie with on my desk each on each side and the little one at my feet…. the love me and I love them and I want to be with them more than anything. I love GOD and believe that everything in life has a reason and the reason is for us to learn from to change and grow in the right path with GOD.
    GOD is my friend, my saviour, my hope. I trust GOD with everything – GOD has guided me and saved me always, again like now.

    Reply

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