Alive in Noodledom

By Laura J. Bagby
CBN.com Sr. Producer

CBN.com – Seasonal changes in early spring and fall often throw me for a loop. My body reacts with what I call, for lack of a better term, seasonal sloth.

Whether prompted by allergies, extreme temperature changes, poor diet, lack of sleep, or an overstressed lifestyle, all I know is that I find myself once again walking down the skinny corridor of Producer’s Row in my department here at CBN and trumpeting, “I feel like a wet noodle!” hoping that I will get a sympathetic response.

Alive in noodledom once again.

It’s the best way I can describe an overwhelming sense of tiredness that goes bone deep and leaves me feeling like I am dragging myself around all day. It’s equivalent to being run over by a Mac truck – at least, that’s my guess.

Being sick: It’s really not good for my health!

God made some of us to stay at home… and then God made some of us to go out. I think I know which camp I fall into most of the time. And so it is ever more frustrating to be raring to go without the horse power to accomplish the tasks. It’s like operating on one less cylinder.

And the more it persists and drags on, the more the tendency toward despondency. It is easy to focus on the symptoms instead of the cure. And the cure I am talking about is not necessarily some special vitamin injection, although that would probably help. The cure I am referring to is refocusing the mind and emotions on a greater truth than what our natural eyes see.

What brings energy back is the knowledge that according to Scripture “this too shall pass” and I cling to that when circumstances don’t seem in my favor. Honestly, I need that hope most especially when I am still in the yucky here-and-now.

It’s easy sometimes to let your brain follow the yellow brick road down to escapism, where you aren’t really living; you are simply dreaming of better days. It’s that kind of wishful thinking that comes to mind when I hear that old song “I’ll Fly Away.”

I have issues with the philosophy behind that song because it makes life on earth seem completely like it isn’t worth living. It’s that “Heaven, hurry up” idea that I want to counter with, “Hey, didn’t God say we are supposed to have heaven on earth? And if we are to experience heaven on earth now and we are still living on this terrestrial ball, don’t you think God has a plan for us down here?” Enough said. Truly, I don’t think God wants any of us to “fly away” from reality. I think He wants us right smack in the middle of reality – but with a heart full of joy.

We need to be with the great I AM and not with the great I WILL BE. It is present truth that you and I need from God on a day-to-day basis. We each need those manna moments when the Lord swoops down with His gentle care and gives us that morsel of truth that lets us know that we can make it with His strength and provision. He revives our fragile bodies. In our weakness, we are strong in Him, after all. This is where our eyes need to look beyond and look up to the One who is higher than us.

When you and I are bobbing around in our own state of noodledom, whatever the cause and however it manifests, agree with me that we aren’t going to lose heart.

Yes, we can admit the sea of frustration we are swimming in; to not do so would be to give into denial. And, of course, we should always pray for healing. But let’s agree to recall the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. It’s too easy to complain our way into self-pity. It’s too easy to lose heart for the future because we are so tired today.

The trial will end. God says He doesn’t give us more than we can bear. Let’s see beyond to better days with faith and reality firmly in tact.

Comments? E-mail me.

How to Give Your Life to Christ:

1. Admit you are a sinner and need forgiveness.

2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.

3. Through prayer, confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and commit to live for Him for the rest of your life.

What to Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave to give me life. I know You are the only way to God so now I want to quit disobeying You and start living for You. Please forgive me, change my life and show me how to know You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, please send us an e-mail to let us know. Or you can call our CBN Prayer Counseling Center at (800) 759-0700. We would love to talk with you and send you some resources to help you begin your walk with the Lord.

Laura J. Bagby produces the Health and Finance channels. She writes inspirational, humor, singles, and health articles.