Wow... over a year has gone by since my last post! That's gotta be a record somewhere. It is for me, anyway ;) So last I wrote, I was still trying to reach my ideal weight, and that happened early summer of 2012. Currently, I've been able to maintain a weight of about 172-175 lbs and around 11-12% body fat. God has helped me find a balance on the nutrition end of the health spectrum, but other problems have arisen, largely because I've been burning the candle at both ends for too long.
I was diagnosed a few weeks ago with something called adrenal fatigue. From what I understand, our bodies' fight-or-flight response is designed for quick bursts of energy in highly stressful situations (e.g. running away from a burning building). However, our society has largely removed these high-stress events and replaced them with chronic, low-level stress. Unfortunately, this means our fight-or-flight response is always on edge and can actually burn out. Which is where I'm at right now.
So, clinically-speaking, I'm a workaholic. In my case, being a computer scientist, recording artist, and worship leader all at the same time, in the quantities I currently pursue them in, have burnt me out. How did it get this way? Well, look at the list - all of the things I mentioned are very good things to be involved in (bear in mind that the two biggest things I've omitted from that list are husband and father because those take top priority and are untouchable). It's easy to fill our lives up with good things to do with our time but just because something is good doesn't mean it's good to do it all the time. I need to re-evaluate my priorities!
Psalm 23 which says this (from The Message):
1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Bottom line is, the world won't end if you slow down. God may have put a calling on your life, but if you don't feel rested spiritually or your health is in decline because you're too busy, you're doing too much. God is going to make it happen in His timing. So take time to catch your breath and let Him handle it!
