Energy Leaks
Thursday, November 11th, 2010The audio portion of this broadcast is no longer available on-line.
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Send to friendEver had a leak that caused you problems? I had a leak in my car not long ago, and as a result the air conditioning didn't work. You may have had a leak in the plumbing in your house and found that you had some serious water damage as a result. If you get a leak in your gasoline tank, you'll find that you don't get very far before running out of gas. Leaks are usually a big nuisance, and often they are hazardous.
I want to talk about the energy leaks in our lives–the things that cause us to lose physical, mental and spiritual energy. The things that drive us into burnout and stress. I want to point out some of the most common energy leaks and give you some ideas on how you can plug those holes and keep that energy from leaking out.
Energy Leak No. 1–A Negative Attitude
I put this at the top of my list because I find it to be so prevalent. Any time you and I start thinking negatively, talking negatively, griping and complaining, we have just pulled the plug on our energy and it is leaking out fast.
Do you pour a lot of negative junk back into your mind all the time, saying things like: "I'm so tired" or "I can't do this" or "I hate this job" or "I'll never get all this done" or "I don't feel good"? Every time you indulge in that negative chatter–whether in word or thought–you are wasting energy. Maybe you can think of a day when you were in negative territory most of the day. Did you accomplish much that day? I doubt it.
Now, how do we plug up this all-too-common energy leak? Here's what the Apostle Paul told us: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). Okay, I can see you saying "Oh, right, just one quick verse and that's supposed to solve all my problems." Well, friends, if you practiced this verse, you would not be losing energy due to a negative attitude, because you can't be negative while you're rejoicing! It's impossible!
Paul told us to rejoice in the Lord always. There are things over which we cannot rejoice. But we can rejoice in the Lord–always! Even in the midst of situations that are depressing and negative. It's our choice; no one can force us to be in a negative mood if we don't want to be.
If you have trouble with a negative attitude and you need to plug this energy leak, pray this verse into your life every morning. Repeat it on the way to work each day. Memorize it and recite it out loud as often as possible. I promise you, this will plug up that energy leak and you'll save all that energy you've been wasting on a negative attitude.
Energy Leak #2 - Trying to Control the Uncontrollable
Now tell the truth–do you yell at traffic? You know, there's nothing you can do about that traffic jam, yet there you are yelling at cars, trying to control the uncontrollable. Maybe you're more likely to yell at your computer or some equipment? Did you ever think about how much energy you waste when you do that?
Worse than that is trying to control uncontrollable people–like your boss or your coworker–or your mate or children! How often do we waste our energy trying to manipulate and control other people.
Someone wrote: "If you will control the controllable, you can cope with the uncontrollable." Ask God to help you spend your energy on the things you can affect–which is mostly you–and not to waste energy trying to control the uncontrollable. A good verse to memorize is 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." God knows about those uncontrollable things and people–and He cares. So, turn it over to Him and stop wasting energy on the uncontrollable.
Energy Leak #3 - Poor Body Stewardship
God has given each of us a body that houses our spirit and soul. And that body has to be kept in pretty good condition or we waste a lot of energy because the body isn't running so well. Are you a good steward of your body? Do you have good eating habits? Do you exercise enough? Are you careful about what you put into your body and how you care for it? If not, you'll find that frequently you run out of energy long before the job is finished.
While it's true that we all have different energy levels, it's also true that we all have the responsibility of doing the things that keep our bodies in good form. How are you doing in that department? Paul asked the Corinthians: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?... Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When we take that seriously and truly honor God with our bodies, our energy levels will be much greater. It will plug up that major energy leak.
Energy Leak #4 - Letting the Little Things Upset You
It's amazing how easily we allow little things to drain all of our energy–whether it's socks left on the floor, or someone cutting us off in traffic, or an inconsiderate statement made to us. Our days are full of "little things," and we really must learn to get perspective on them or they'll often just pull the plug and waste all our energy.
Here's my rule of thumb which I use to keep me from being obsessive about little things. I ask myself: What difference is this going to make in 24 hours? And if I can't come up with a 24-hour difference, then I don't allow myself to spend any energy on it. I can't get angry, upset, frustrated or hurt, because it just doesn't matter that much.
Paul wrote to the Colossians: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2). In other words, don't get mired down in the small stuff that really doesn't matter. It wastes your time and energy.
Energy Leak #5 - Trying to Carry Your Own Burdens
You may have heard my message entitled "If It's Not Light, It's Not Right." I've often tried to remind you that when you try to carry your heavy burdens, you will find yourself exhausted and unable to cope. The reason is, Jesus never intended for you to carry heavy burdens. You're not built for heavy burdens; He is. Listen to what He says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30:).
Couldn't be much clearer, could it? He doesn't want you dragging those heavy burdens around, and when you do, you waste so much energy. What burdens are on your heart today? We all have them in some size or another. Can you by faith just drop them right where you are? You may have to drop them several times a day; that’s okay, just exchange it for His burden, which is light and easy.
Energy Leak #6 - Relationship Problems
Can I tell you a secret? I think one of the blessings of being single is that you have fewer relationship problems and therefore less wasted energy. Now, I know many of you will disagree with me about that, but I really believe that we often allow relationship problems to grow and develop and then they occupy so much of our time and energy, that we don't have much left over for other things.
Of course, whether single or married, we all have relationships that can be very draining. If you're having trouble with your manager or a coworker, a child, a mate, a relative or a friend–all of these are exhausting and can become energy gushers, not just leaks!
I received a letter from a nurse, telling me about a difficult coworker on her job. This person is causing her so many problems that she can't get her work done and ends up each day in frustration and stress, and is thinking of leaving a job she really likes–because of a difficult relationship. I think we've all been there in some way or another, and we can testify that difficult relationships drain your energy like crazy!
What do we do to plug up this energy leak? Well, listen to Titus 3:1-2: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." If we all practiced this in our relationships with others, we'd find most relationship problems would go away.
First, be in subjection to the authorities over you. That includes your management, your pastor, your leaders in any capacity. Then obey those you are supposed to obey. Look for good things to do for these people who are difficult, never slander them or say anything bad about them to others, don't stir up fights or arguments with them, and don't brag about yourself to them. You see, we may not be able to control that person who we're having difficulty with, but we can control how we treat them. And this formula is guaranteed to work.
Even if that person never changes and continues to be difficult to deal with, you will plug up that energy leak when you treat them as the Bible tells you to, because they won't be able to get to you anymore like they are now.
Energy Leak #7 - Living in the Past
I've noticed how often people are led to dwell on the past and focus their lives on what happened years or decades ago–sometimes through professional counseling. And I've noticed that when people are dwelling on the past, they are usually miserable, handicapped and sidetracked.
A friend of mine went through years of secular counseling–she's not a believer –and this counselor continually focused her on the wrongful treatment she had received from her father, the fact that she didn't have the nurturing she needed from her mother, and on and on–for years, I mean years! There were times when I'd get a call from her in the middle of the night, telling me that she was in her closet with the door closed, trying to avoid facing reality, wanting to forget the present and talk about her past.
For a long period she was able only to go to work each day; otherwise she couldn't function, she just sat at home, morbidly focusing on the past. Thankfully she has stopped seeing that counselor and is doing better now. Of course, her main problem is she needs to know Jesus, but even those of us who have been born from above can get caught in this common habit of dwelling in the past, shifting blame to others, and making victims of ourselves. Anytime you dwell in the past, you waste energy and opportunities that can never be recovered.
Isaiah wrote: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!" (Is. 43:18-19) I don't mean to imply that the past can be ignored or denied. But dwelling on it will mire you down in pain. We must move forward to the new thing that God wants to do for us.
If you've been dwelling too much on the past, I know that God can set you free from that pain. Take this verse from Isaiah 43 and make it your own. Claim His promise that He is doing a new thing for you, and He will help you not to dwell on your past.
Where are you losing energy today? If you will identify one energy leak right now and pray about it, God will start a miracle in your life. He is waiting for you to admit your need and apply the truth of Scripture. Then you'll discover that you can get so much more done, that you don't feel nearly so stressed out, that you are motivated to keep on keepin' on, because you have the energy to do so.
