Restoring Hearts Blog

“Burnout victims give and give and give, until finally there was nothing left to give any more.” Christina Maslach I struggled with emotional burnout years ago. It was one of the scariest and most devastating seasons in my life. I was tired all the time and had no motivation. Apathy and hopelessness ran high. I lacked energy, bitterness and cynicism replaced compassion for others, I withdrew and isolated myself as a form of protection, and resented those who needed me. When a

“You can give up the need to compete in the world-when you accept being complete in Christ.” Ann Voskamp For years my shame kept me from feeling significant and valued. My low self-worth prevented me from seeing and believing who I am through God’s eyes. I was not convinced in my heart that I was unconditionally loved and accepted by God. I knew it in my head, but that truth needed to drop down eighteen inches into my heart. My heart said I was not complete in Christ and what

“Are you getting more value from Him or from your assignment?” Eric Johnson I have been on a writing adventure with God for many years. He called me to write when my heart was covered in shame and my identity was locked into performance. I liked myself when I was productive, pleased people, and kept many balls juggling without them crashing to the floor. Up and down my security went, like a roller coaster, when it was based on what I did and how well I performed. Fortunately,

“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.” St. Augustine of Hippo The day before surgery, the Lord told me to “rest and receive” during my time of recuperation. For some that might be a reason to celebrate. But for me, who has received my identity from performance and is a recovering doing addict, that mission can make me anxious. It’s been comfortable for me in the past to hide behind busyness as a way to medicate my emoti

“If we displease God, does it matter whom we please? If we please Him does it matter whom we displease?” Leonard Ravenhill “If it’s not productive, it’s a waste of time.” I unconsciously believed and lived by this lie for most of my life. I could have been twins with Martha of Bethany. I too was always busy doing. I strived to please Jesus and people by doing things as a way to gain acceptance. I wanted to be noticed, to receive an approving nod or words of affirmation, so th

“Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire.” St. Catherine of Sienna As a speaker I am tempted to compare myself with other speakers and I always come up short. I wish I was more charismatic, an entertaining story teller or one with profound insights. Yet, the Word of God instructs us not to compare ourselves with others. (II Corinthians 10:12) A few weeks ago I prepared a message on how to hear God’s voice, to share with the discipleship school at chu

“Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity-an illusion! Loudly and clearly He says: ‘You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God.'” Henri Nouwen Few things bring out the worst in me than feeling forgotten. When God has placed me high up on a shelf, my insecurity, low self esteem and identity issues float to the top of my heart. I’d rather be active in ministry than passively sitting at home.

“I cannot be the man I should be without times of quietness. Stillness is an essential part of growing deeper.” Charles R. Swindoll My family and I went on a short-term mission trip to Kenya, the summer of 1992. While there we learned a phrase in Swahili: “Haraka Haraka Haina Baraka.” This proverb’s translation is: “Hurry, hurry, has no blessings.” I have found this to be true when I rush around or fill up my calendar with a jam-packed schedule. Living under a performance min