October 30, 2007

Have you ever been in a “funk”? By “funk” I mean the condition of lacking the necessary motivation to do anything of any real value. For me, it is a state of “blah-ness” associated with an intense desire to sleep in, walk aimlessly around the mall, and spend entire afternoons and evenings on the couch watching episode after episode of Gilmore Girls or (before we cancelled cable) various Food Network programs. This condition is also associated with a severe decline in desire to go to the gym, clean house, fold laundry, read, or anything that might require me to think hard (like writing Reflections J). When I’m in a funk, I’m not unhappy, just unmotivated. I wish I could say that I only experience a “funk” a couple times a year, but in reality I fight the “battle of the blah” on a routine basis. Sometimes the funk seems to come out of nowhere. Other times it is directly related to fatigue or hormone issues.  No matter how it starts, it’s incredibly frustrating. I like to be productive. I want to honor the Lord with the use of my time. I want to have a good answer when my husband gets home and asks, “So, what did you do today?” Describing the amazing makeovers on the Opera show just doesn’t seem to cut it!  

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a student, a career woman, or all of the above, chances are you have experienced a funk and the frustration that it brings. We all know that it is not God’s will for us to waste our time day after day, yet it seems so hard on those “funk days” to get off the couch and sort the laundry, make dinner, help the kids with their homework, study for a test, spend time in the Word, or whatever else might be on our to-do lists. So, what do we do? Well, I believe there is a way to fight the “battle of the blah” and come out victorious. We may not win the “most efficient woman” award on our funk days, but we can accomplish something and bring glory to God as we do it. Here’s my strategy. This is nothing profound, but I thought it might help my fellow “funk” sisters out there.

• First things first - get some rest! The funk feelings might be your body’s way of saying, “Slow down!” Sometimes a little rest and relaxation are all you need to regain your motivation. Burn-out is an ever-present reality that we all need to proactively avoid. There are so many ways to gets some rest. I highly recommend a pajama day every once in a while. It’s good for the soul! However,  . . .

• Don’t allow the much-needed rest to turn into laziness. Everyone has their favorite ways to relax. Mine are watching TV, taking bubble baths, baking, reading my favorite magazines, and walking through my favorite home accessory stores with a Starbucks Café Mocha in hand. In and of themselves, none of these activities are bad. In fact, I desperately need the down time they supply. However, all of these activities can easily become diversions, time-wasters, and hindrances to my ministry both inside and outside of my home. What may start out as rest can easily cross the line into laziness. We’ve all sat down on the couch after a busy day, intending to only watch one show. Five shows later, we realize it’s time to get the kids to bed and get ready for the next day. We’ve wasted hours of precious time without even realizing it!

What’s the difference between rest and laziness? Rest is preparation for activity. Laziness is avoidance of activity. Rest improves our ability to serve. Laziness keeps us from serving. Identifying the fine line between the two is tremendously important. I have learned that as long as I continue to indulge my desire to do nothing, the “funk” will not go away.

• Just do it! If you are rested up, yet the funk still remains, fight the “blah” feelings by getting active. Start small. Clean your kitchen sink, make your grocery list, pay bills, wash and fold a load of towels, or start sorting through one pile of paperwork (even if there are 20 more!). Pick one thing on your “To Do” list and “just do it!” I have learned from experience that activity and “blah-ness” are inversely related. In other words, as your activity level grows, the “funk feelings” will shrink.

• Ask the Lord for help. Let’s face it, the emotions involved with being in a funk are hard to overcome. That is why it’s such a frustrating condition. Because of this, you and I need help. Philippians 2:13 says that God is at work in us to give us both the desire and the ability to do everything He wants us to do. As we do our part by getting active and seeking the Lord day-by-day, He will supply the motivation that we need.

• Seek encouragement from godly girlfriends. We all need someone to cheer us on when we feel like quitting. When you are in a funk, ask a Christian friend to pray for you and hold you accountable so that you don’t cross that line into laziness.

Proverbs 31:27 says that the excellent wife “looks well into the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” I want to be like the woman described in Proverbs 31, making the most of every moment, always ready and willing to serve those around me. I know this will not be easy. I find the “bread of idleness” to be quite tasty! Even today I really didn’t want to sit at this computer and write this reflection. I wanted to watch Martha Stewart. I’ve had to lay aside what I feel like doing in order to accomplish what I know I ought to be doing. So, I turned off the TV and planted my rear end in this chair. Low-and-behold, I’m almost done! I have fought the battle of the blah and won. Well, almost. I still have quite a bit of ironing to do. I’ll let you know how that goes. J