I had an interesting experience the other day. I started out the work day thoroughly depressed. I had so much cognitive dissonance that I couldn’t work. I had no energy though I had gotten plenty of sleep. Something didn't go right and I threw a tantrum, just tossing everything aside and sitting in a heap crying and praying. My brother (and boss) showed up at the work site and found out that things weren’t going so hot and talked with me about it –big thanks if you read this, bro. After sorting things out I felt much better. It seemed that once the depression lifted and clear thinking was engaged, everything else got so much better and brighter. I was no longer tired, though I worked ‘till close to sunset. Even as I started writing this at 10 pm that night I felt awake and mentally vigorous. Labor was not only tolerable, but enjoyable, and I made decisions with ease and forgave myself easily for mistakes.
Part of what my brother and I talked about that day was the importance of priorities. We needed to be doing what was best for ourselves. We needed to be doing the best things whether other people approved or not. What I thought of in the midst of that conversation is that if I gain the world, but lose my soul, it’s worthless. My life is not a whole lot economically different when I put my heart-healthiness up as a first priority; circumstances may be the same. But my viewpoint and focus changes. I have more energy because I’m drawing from an inward strength and joy and peace that could come from no other than a working experience with God’s presence.
