“Are you tired?”
Isn’t that the worst thing someone can say to you?
“Wow, you look tired..”
Thaaaaanks.
Seriously though, I feel like, especially in NYC, people are just TIRED.
All the time.
How you doing? Ugh, long day. How’s life? Exhausting.
Sound familiar?
But there are really two kinds of tired.
There’s body tired. Which, anyone who has gone to Ikea has experienced.
And then there’s soul tired.
And that’s a horse of a different color.
Soul tired. Where you’re worn down, run ragged, feeling like your spirit is a deflated balloon.
During my anorexia, I was soul tired. Or perhaps the better word would be, soul depleted.
I felt as though I was on a treadmill at full speed, and I just couldn’t stop. The strict regimen I had construed for myself surrounding food and exercise and sleep and rituals, the obsessive thoughts about food, the unattainable standards I had set for myself, the web of lies I had spun, the isolation — all of these things wore me down, quite literally, to the bone.
But being soul tired is not exclusive to eating disorders.
Life is not for the weary. Things exhaust us.
Stress about school. Anxiety about paying bills and making ends meet. Fears about this or that. Dealing with rejection or bullying. Harboring anger or jealousy. Or navigating toxic relationships, or fighting addictions, or striving to make a mark on the world, or striving to achieve perfect standards. All these things burden you with a weight that your soul bears.
It’s no wonder we sometimes get the comment, “You look tired.”
Ya think?!
It’s easy to feel out of control when you’re soul tired. Easy to slip into the thinking that there’s no hope. No way out. Nothing to cling to. Nowhere to go.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
That comes from Matthew 11, and you guessed it….it was said by Jesus.
I remember being told this when I was in my disease, and it always made me really angry. It just left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
What a load of crap. What an idealized statement that church ladies say because, jeez — the worst thing going on in THEIR lives is that they ran out of chocolate crullers after Mass on Donut Sunday. How can God seriously help me? Doesn’t He know what I’m going through? There’s no WAY He can make things better.
The words felt empty.
Hollow. Useless. Out of touch. Borderline insulting.
So I rejected it. And as a result I suffered for a lot longer than I needed to. I continued in that cycle of destruction until I was literally at death’s door.
But what I’ve come to learn, is that, there really is rest to be found with Jesus. Peace. Self-control. Hope. Reassurance.
A way out.
Carrying around all the burdens we’re holding onto, it’s no wonder that we’re feeling hung out to dry.
All those things – just let them go. Or more specifically, hand them over.
You don’t have to carry them. He will.
That’s why He carried the Cross.
Because He wanted to endure it, so that WE wouldn’t have to.
Seriously.
Lay down your burdens — all those things that are contributing to the exhaustion of your soul — at His feet, and then crawl into His lap and rest. In His arms.
And yes, I know how incredibly cheesy that sounds, but friends, that is the image that got me through my weight restoration process.
That image – of sitting on Jesus’ lap – was what got me through the days at inpatient where I was facing supplement increases and a changing body.
That was the image.
So yes. It is cheesy.
But it is powerful. And it helped me. So I will risk looking like an imbecile, in the hopes that even one person will try imagining that image and receive the comfort and peace that it gave me.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
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***A little house keeping: I have officially changed my web address to BeautyBeyondBones.com, as I feel it is more along the lines of my message. Or rather, His message.
When I set out writing this blog, it was to “reveal” what “anorexia” really is like, in order to help parents/friends/etc. understand what their loved one is going through. And though that is still my mission, I think BBB is more along the lines of my current direction.
SO. What this means for YOU: Nothing! You should be redirected here automatically, whether you use AR or BBB. The links in any old Instagram or Twitter posts, and reblogs still work! (And PS thank you to all those beautiful souls that do reblog my stuff. I am truly humbled & grateful). In short, just a new web address!
Love and hugs, warriors.
56 responses to “Are You Tired?”
Another spot on post…keep up the good work….You have been heard!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your encouragement 🙂 😍😍😍
I love your new site name! I think it fits much better and shows the immense progress you’ve made. Also I totally love when someone asks me if I’m tired the day that I don’t wear makeup. Like OKAY I WILL NEVER NOT BE WEARING MAKEUP AGAIN BECAUSE APPARENTLY I LOOK DEAD
thank you so much Annie:) you are so sweet. I have so enjoyed getting to know the awesome human you are through YOUR blog and videos! 🙂 hahahaha I know!! sometimes I’ll go grocery shopping w/0 makeup and the guy’s like — you look different. Are you okay? — *facepalm* 🙂 love you! xx
[…] funny thing is while i was thinking of writing this i got a blog update from :http://beautybeyondbones.com/2015/09/02/are-you-tired/ check it out! its pretty neat and i was reading i was like yaaasss girl!! i completely […]
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Absolutely beautiful. I know what you mean about soul tired. Been there way too many times. At the end of the day, Jesus is truly the only one who brings real rest, the kind of rest that seeps down and restores your soul. God bless you, and thanks for sharing 🙂
Amen to that Audrey. So much truth. I like that: His rest seeping into your soul. So true. Thanks for stopping by:) love and hugs to you always xoxo
Beautiful and so honest. I cant begin to imagine how it felt to battle with anorexia but your blogs give us an insight to a terrible illness. Thank you and god bless xx
Thank you so much for the encouragement and support. Yes, I hope and pray that my story will help others out there as well as their loved ones. Thanks for stopping by. Xx
Thank you for your post xx
Thank you for putting a term to a feeling I had for a long time. I spent 17 years in an abusive marriage and I was soul tired. Once I woke up and came to terms with things….well, things changed! Thank you for sharing! Many blessings!
Thank you for sharing this, friend. I’m so glad you were able to change that situation. You deserve to be treated like the precious woman that you are! Blessings to you. Thanks for stopping by.
enlightening!
Thanks Abril! Glad you stopped by😊
what a wonderful image it is, to sit in the safety of His lap and be healed
Thank you so much! Yeah that image got me through a lot of dark days. Thanks for stopping by xx
When your soul is tired life just seems useless. I cannot count the number of times I have been soul sick, because of some illness that doctors could not diagnose and which took months and years to go away. My heart goes out to you, anorexia is one tough physical problem to overcome. I never give up on God or Jesus – yet an illness can take you into the depths of despair. For that reason you can lose confidence that God is going to help – when you think his answer to your prayers is always No. And you do not understand why he says No.
Hi Lizzie, thank you for this comment. It is definitely an easy trap to fall into when you’re soul tired. But you’re so right: never give up on Jesus. Because He never gives up on you. blessings, friend. 🙂
Life is exhausting these days, even without problems to deal with. How brave of you to reveal your thoughts and to find a way to move forward.
Thank you Mary. I appreciate your encouragement. Thanks for stopping by xx
I fight a food battle. I look at food and I gain weight! During a recent year long diet, I fought to keep the faith as my body ached from physical problems I have, along with less comfort food to rely on. It was during this time that I drew even closer to the Lord. I believe that when we face adversity we realize that carrying that cross is much more than symbolic, it’s a heavy burden. Yet, Christ endured it for us and is willing to help us ease the load we carry in this life.
Praise God for your testimony and your ministry to others!
Thank you so much for sharing this David. You’re right it’s more than symbolic. And Jesus is there to help us no matter what. Thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful post! And yes, I am both kinds of tired. Thank you for the gentle reminder of the peace that is waiting–if I just take a breath and let it happen. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much Jan. I appreciate your comment:) yes there is definitely peace. And lots of it. Thanks for stopping by xx
I shared this to my daughter,s facebook in a private message. She has an eating disorder and is really suffering. It is so hard for a mother to watch when I don’t know how to help. Thank you for your post, it has provided me with some insight and I hope your message will reach her. Your writing is wonderful, you are very talented! thank you and God bless and keep you safe… Michelle
Thank you Michelle. I am so sorry to hear that your daughter is suffering. That breaks my heart. It sounds like you’re doing exactly what you can do to help: loving her. Reaching out to her. Keeping communication open and encouraging her to find the strength and courage to leave ED behind. You’re a good mother. I will keep you and your daughter and your family in my prayers and in my heart. Feel free to pass my email address along to her as well: anorexiarevealed@yahoo.com. I would be more than willing to talk to her. Blessings. ❤️
Nothing more powerful than the words spoken by our lord and saviour, but your words have such power also and they are beautiful and meaningful we are blessed to have people like you in our lives, the world in fact, even if its just your words on here or twitter or instagram. you are one of the most amazing human beings I could ever know, and I dont know you personally (which is a shame because you would be amazing to meet) but you let so many people know the deepest parts of you. and I love you, not in the relationship sense and treasure you for it. god bless your beautiful heart and soul and keep on being the person you are <3 <3
Benjamin
Wow Benjamin. Thank you so much. Your words are literally making me chocked up right now. I so appreciate your kindness and encouragement and love☺️ I’m grateful for you, friend. God is so good. Blessings
your words do that to me all the time, hits me right in the heart, I bless you with all my heart x. feel free to email me biddulphbenjamin@gmail.com I would love to chat 🙂
This post really resonated with me and was something I think I needed to hear, or at least be reminded of. One of my favorite songs is “You never let go” by Matt Redman, which kind of goes along similar lines of what you wrote. It reminds me that God is always there for me, whether or not I think I deserve it.
Thank you Ailish. Oh I love that song! I think I’m gonna go listen to it right now☺️ yes He is always ALWAYS there😘
Finding it so difficult to fall asleep even though I’m so tired
I’ve been there before. Here’s hoping you find some shut eye 😴
I’m trying 🙂 Listening some worship music 🙂 I hope it helps <3
You “get it”. Yes, the statement by Jesus, on the face of it, sounds like a one size-fits-all platitude but when you realize first what He went through to accomplish it, and what He is offering you to ease your burden (an audience with God in the throne room). The magnitude of God is mind-blowing and yet God cares. Even though at times life presses in on people, and those that do not ‘look’ for God cannot see but everything a person goes through, EVERYTHING, prepares us to be used to help someone that needs help, if we will. You are. I love the new name of your site, BeautyBeyondBones.com it screams it isn’t about here, it isn’t about now and yet it also screams it is about the choices you make ‘here’ and ‘now’. Good job. Thank you for this blog.
Amen! Oh my gosh wow. This blew me away. First of all, thank you😊 and secondly, I love how passionately you speak about our Lord and what He did for us. Thank you for this. Glad you stopped by
Can you teach me how to make my blog as exciting as yours, please?
Hahaha thanks:) you’re funny 😋😋😋❤️
No, I’m serious. I don’t know how to spice up my page. Where did you learn to do it? Send me a link or let’s talk.
I’m so glad you found me, because I really like your blog! I have gone back and forth for years between just totally loving who I am (I really do!) and fighting to control my mouth (most frequently what goes in it–my husband keeps me accountable for what comes out of it 😉 I actually LIKE getting older and singing blues, because older means I’m no longer expected to look like Joss Stone and in blues people respect Etta James more than Cutie Perry (although I do love her costumes!) ANYWAY, I just stopped by and thought I’d say hello. My friend Jennifer Owens just published a course on Self-Care, which is a very important part of replacing an obsession with a healthy joie de vivre. Some of your readers might enjoy it. It’s called Soul Silence, and you can find it at https://coursecraft.net/courses/z9PRG
Hi Kristi, thanks for stopping by! That sounds like a great course. What a gift that Jennifer is offering to people with that. Have a wonderful weekend friend. Xx
Sorry I have not posted since last week, I have just been busy with work and stuff and speaking of which, this blog entry is perfect:) I am tired all the time when I get home from an 8 hour work day (I work in retail) and the only days I feel energetic is on my days off which I get three times a week:) Keep up the great work as always:) P.S. I see that you loved another one of my blog posts:) I do not know If you noticed, but I hit the like button on this post:) I hope my name shows up there:) and as I just said keep up the great work as always:)
Thank you so much John:) I definitely know the feeling. Life can wear us down! I appreciate you stopping by here in s moment of your precious free time! Have a great rest of your weekend 😊
Congratulations on the new move up the street…umm…web..
Most importantly, you have moved past your test and now have a great testimony which no doubt is and will continue to be helpful to those who need it.
This is a great post and very reflective of the attitudes of most if not all of us as humans. There is no problem that any of us will ever have that Jesus cannot fix. In fact, He already has; yet He’s usually the last resort for a few, and sadly most will never go to the manufacturer, the one with all the wisdom and knowledge.
My prayer is for us all to learn to rest in His absolute love and all that He offers freely. Scripture has it right, our greatest labor is to enter into His rest. Not resting from our works, but resting IN work. [This has been on my mind as it’s my post for tomorrow – labor day]
Stay Blessed and continue to inspire.
Thank you so much for such a beautiful comment. I love that prayer. That is what I hope for as well. There is rest to find in Him. Thanks for the encouragement and support. Blessings ❤️
This post brings to mind the verse about God giving us rest and His peace that is not like the peace of this world. All the best with your recovery!
Thank you. Yes there is peace and rest in Him 🙂 thanks for stopping by 👍
Love all the pictures, especially the little dog. I’ve been on my bed for 2 1/2 years because I am friggin TIRED!! Thanks for liking my post, it gave me the opportunity to visit your blog. Oh, and great job passing on Fashion Week to protect your recovery, probably a wise choice. I stayed home today until it was time to go to ACOA to protect mine. No spending for me! Thanks again. Keep your light bright!!
Thank you so much for that encouragement! Yes sometimes we have to do what we gotta do to guard our hearts! Thanks for stopping by!
Well I’m happy I found you. Thank you for writing. You’re full of joy and hope and spreading God’s love. Thank you.
Oh thanks so much:) me too!
Reblogged this on Crazy Pasta Child.
I like yournew blog name of Beauty Beyond Bones. It fits well with your kindhearted posts 🙂 ♥ <3
Oh thank you! I appreciate that! 😊😊😊thanks for stopping by!