Sometimes I am tired.

I am not talking about the I-need-a-nap kind of tired.  I am talking about the I-don’t-have-the-emotional-energy-to-do-life-another-second kind of tired.  Weary.  Spent.  Done.

When I’m feeling this way, my solution is a three-step process:

1. Complain to others.
2. Consume ice cream.
3. Check out in front of the TV.

We can call it The 3C Approach to Weariness.  Pastors can build sermons around this alliterative list.  I think it will really resonate with people across all demographics, except maybe the lactose intolerant.

But lest we get the cart before the horse, let’s consider my solution’s efficacy (minor detail, right?).

Complaining to others requires me to focus on my dissatisfaction, perpetuating my weariness, which is the exact opposite of what I want to do.  Hmm.  Also, if I complain too often to the same people, being around me becomes quite unenjoyable.  My weariness spreads like an infectious disease, bringing down those around me.  Hmm.  Maybe we should nix step one.

What about step 2?  You will never convince me that consuming ice cream is a bad thing.  Ever.  I think it should be apart of every process.  Need instructions for making a sandwich?  Get out bread, spread on peanut butter, eat some ice cream, spread on jelly, eat sandwich.  Need directions for driving to Nashville?  Fill up your gas tank, get on I-40, stop for ice cream, arrive at your destination.  See?  Ice cream is never a bad idea.

Unless I eat it to make myself feel good so I don’t have to work through my weariness in a healthy, yet much more difficult manner.  Or unless I eat it in mass quantities because it makes me feel good.  Or unless my body functions better on things like fruits and vegetables than it does on Rocky Road.  (Side note: my husband says I am the only person in the world who can eat a large bowl of caloric ice cream while watching the Biggest Loser, week in and week out, and not feel bad about it.  I’d consider examining the emotional problems behind that fact, but ICE CREAM IS SO DELICIOUS!)

Maybe we should move ice cream down The 3C Approach to Weariness list.  Maybe it should be the last step, a reward for successfully dealing with our weariness….   I know, I know, don’t reward yourself with food…  I digress.

Step 3.  Check out in front of the TV.  Pretty sure this is a good idea.  When you’re feeling beaten down by the world, nothing distracts you better than Friends reruns, NBA playoffs, or excruciating auditions for a certain singing show.  If you watch long enough, you can escape your problems until the next day, which is all we can really ask for, right?  Don’t shoot too high and expect to eliminate your weariness.  Set the bar low and just seek to postpone it for a few hours…

Because we all know weariness can’t really be beaten for any length of time.

And if that’s true, my list is looking pretty good.  In fact, it’s probably in the Bible somewhere – it’s that awesome.

Hebrew 12:3 tells us what to do so we “will not grow weary and lose heart.”  It says, “Consider [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men…”  Hmm.  That C wasn’t on my list. 

Consider Jesus and all he went through – beatings, ridicule, betrayal, false imprisonment, rejection, and brutal death.  If He went through all that for me, surely I can endure a little hardship for Him.  Surely I can exercise enough self-control to refrain from engaging in (fill in the blank) because He asks me to.  Surely I can take a little mocking from unbelievers because I profess Him like He tells me to.  Surely I can overcome some marital growing pains because I am submitting to soul reconstruction like He wants me to.  

Surely I will not grow weary during my “light and momentary afflictions” because He “endured the cross” for me (2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:2)!

So it seems The 3C Approach to Weariness needs a little revising.

How about this….

1. Consider Jesus.
2. Commit to persevere.
3. Consume ice cream.