Being tired of being tired

For most of us, fatigue is a far too common state of affairs.  Not just physical, but emotional, intellectual, or spiritual fatigue can be draining, especially if prolonged over periods we feel are unreasonable.  Fatigue can not only sap our ability to do work now, but can insidiously lessen our ability to do work later.

Often, however, we cannot decrease the amount of work we are required to do.  We must do enough work to make a living; we must follow the Savior and work for the Kingdom; we must continue to be husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.  The vast majority of sources of work cannot be honorably abandoned.  So how do we decrease our fatigue without decreasing the amount of work we must do?  Let me suggest three things.

First, we should realize that work is a natural state of affairs.  A good portion of fatigue sometimes comes from the unrealistic expectation that work is just a temporary inconvenience, and that life is most complete and joyful when it is filled exclusively with leisure.  Society tells us that we can indeed retire and live only for ourselves, and when reality is cruel enough to dampen this dream, we leave disappointed.  When we accept that work is a natural part of a joy-filled life, then the false expectation does not leave us disappointed.

Second, we should look carefully at the type of work we do.  When we can change what work we do, we should do what we feel is the best work for us.  This can mean that we enter a field of employment where we are challenged and inspired, or that we can conduct our personal relationships and service in ways that are consistent with the principles of the gospel.  When circumstances dictate what type of work we must do, we can always find a way to be inspired by it, to find the best in a bad situation and see God's loving kindnesses all around us.

Third, we should seek renewal in equal portions to work.  A weight lifter on a crash diet does not become stronger.  Rather, without the nutrients to repair his muscles after lifting, he only injures himself and weakens his ability to lift more.  With adequate nutrition, people can work out for hours a day on strenuous regimens, building large amounts of strength in relatively short amounts of time.   Similarly, we can do large amount of physical, emotional, or spiritual work should we provide ourselves with the needed fuel.  For physical work, the answer is food and water.  For spiritual work, especially that involved with the work of salvation, the renewal we need can be found in personal or family scripture study, temple worship, or personal prayer or reflection.

So let's get to work!  Our work is important, and cannot be shirked, and when we commit ourselves to lives of joy and work, when we prioritize the most important work, and when we give ourselves the renewal we need to continue working, we will find that we are far stronger than if we were simply seeking amusement and leisure.  "For behold this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and  eternal life of man."