Self Investment
Why does it seem we expect so much from others, and so little from ourselves? I can understand the struggle for the energy to stand in the face of a long hard trial. What I am trying to wrap my mind around is when it appears that people experience a deep hurt and refuse to remain engaged in their own battle. It is as if, when help (an interested party) arrives, the person who is in need steps back and stops giving to themselves.
What does that mean? Why is that? They often refuse to invest in their restoration, as if they have done all they can, or will.
People who are willing to step into our mess or hurt do not have to be there. They choose to walk in. To put it even more Bible, they are impressed to help because the LORD requires us to. All of us? No, but the ones who are equipped and willing to love well.
Investing in yourself means putting time, effort, and resources into your personal development and well-being.
Take a class or workshop
Prayer
Read, watch, and listen
Attend networking events
Bible Study
Prioritize self-care and breaks to increase productivity
Seek the LORD
Boost your health and wellness
Find better friends and acquaintances
Those are just a few areas and ways one can help him/her self.
When a person funnels their emotional energy into anything over a sustained period of time, they are making an "emotional investment."
Spending time with the right people can help someone make better emotional investments.
When people are in despair (deep hurt), they can be emotionally draining on other individuals. Those particular folks can have a negative impact on your strength (resources) level.
They always ask for more from you than you can give.
They don't have clear boundaries and may not respect your boundaries.
They exhibit disturbing, irrational and even obsessive behaviors. Those alone can be taxing on those around them.
They may imagine the worst-case scenario in every situation.
Dealing with such people can lead to physical and spiritual exhaustion. I have tried not to be that person, when I feel emotionally drained and completely devoid of personal responsiveness.
There was a time when I was 30 years younger, I was in a bad way. I TRIED to find some solace, but it seemed like the Spirit of GOD did not want certain people around. My circle was VERY small. GOD knows I tried to make it bigger!
I fasted often. I prayed often. I read often and I was consistent in my local church congregation. I was sustained (as I look back, it is now noticeable), but the answers and freedoms did not come quickly.
Actually, in many areas of my struggles, it took years to get some insight and relief. I was in some deeeeeeeeep hurt and was not certain who to cling to. My Source of interaction eventually became my only True Hope. He was the Lord of my Salvation.
Really.
Speaking with people was not enough! I shared with some, and listened to some and eventually, I moved on.
The simple things… The simple approach… They were all I ended up resorting to.
Again… People were not enough, so draining them dry was not an option. The Lord made it not always clear that He was the Option I needed to select.
As I made that choice more and more, I began to experience Simcha (joy - my private party of celebration) and Shalom (Peace).
As I relied on the Spirit of the Lord to strengthen and guide me, a different type of folks began to wander into my life. That was cool. It was during those moments; I was able to support them more than they were helping me. I think… <smiling>
What am I saying? I think I am encouraging you all to prioritize your own growth and self-care. If the Lord is your healer, allow Him to restore you from the inside out. He has done that for many people. You can be His next patient, should you decide to trust Him with your whole heart (mind) and whole life, and don’t look for help outside of Him. He will send folks to you, so you don’t drain the ones who are intentioanlly there for your comfort.