Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
February 20, 2023
This Week's Anchor
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4: 9-11 (NIV)
Every Black History Month I ponder on the countless contributions Black folks have afforded our society historically and, in the present—from art to food to culture to music to everyday inventions to politics and civil rights; you name it, and our community has demonstrated significant influence and impact. In this month of celebrated heritage, I also often reflect on the long and brutal history of everything that we have travailed. With everything we’ve provided and endured and continue to provide and endure, I think deeply about how eternally exhausted many of us feel as a collective community. Not only do we carry the usual loads as mothers/parents, caretakers, friends, siblings, mentors, teachers, co-workers, students, and partners/spouses, but as Black folks, we bare the additional weight of multiple layers of racism, discrimination, microaggressions, colorism, and for some of us, intersections with other -isms (i.e., classism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism), and more. Simply put, the load is heavy, and the burnout is real.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling the impact of burnout recently in multiple areas of my life. It’s led me to consider the God-perspective of burnout. Consequently, I’ve had several “what would Jesus do?” moments. I’ve wondered, how would Jesus navigate these feelings. How did He take care of and restore Himself? What would He say? What advice would He give for getting through this? And I keep getting redirected to passages like our anchor scripture that call us to rest. Both God and Jesus have modeled the importance of Sabbath-rest throughout the Bible. I mean, from the jump, God illustrates the need for rest in the foundational story of earth’s divine creation. Additionally, at various moments throughout the scriptures, we see Jesus take space and seek solitude to gain clarity (Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12-13), restoration (Mark 6:30-32), and groundedness (Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35), and we often frame our relationship with the Holy Spirit in relation to rest and surrender (i.e., “rest in the Holy Spirit”). Based on what we know from the Holy Trinity, it seems rest is not only important but necessary to navigating the impact of burnout. If God and Jesus needed rest, why wouldn’t we?
Most of us know in our minds that rest and self-care are important, and yet, many things get in the way. I share this without judgment because I can assure you that I, too, am “most of us”. As Black women, there can be additional reasons for burnout and barriers to self-care. This might include the stress of caring for everything and everyone (being the strong Black woman), the pressure to constantly be “on” and mindful of how we are coming across (not being the angry Black woman), mitigating misogynoir, stereotypes, and racial-gender insensitivity, attempting to overcompensate for lack of opportunities, glass ceilings, and brick walls (being twice as good to get half as much), and more. Many of us were socialized to keep going, put on a brave face, and self-sacrificially push ourselves beyond the limit, because “if we don’t, who will?” We often feel we don’t have the time, space, energy, and/or luxury to care for ourselves. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that as a result, our minds and bodies keep the score. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of our unique barriers and some of the signs of burnout that can indicate when we need to do something differently. Here are some signs to look out for to help us understand our exhaustion [1] [2]
Potential Signs of Burnout
Increased anxiety and/or depression
Feelings of hopelessness/helplessness
Changes in mood (i.e., increased irritability and frustration, greater fluctuations)
Insomnia and/or extreme fatigue despite getting quality sleep
Unexplainable medical/health concerns (i.e., headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues)
Decreased ability to focus/concentrate and/or reduced performance
Lack of creativity
Detachment and/or loss of sense of purpose
In my Black History Month reflections, I remind myself that not only do our roots reflect the histories of pain and exhaustion, but they also hold stories of care and healing. Even in the field of mental health, there are emerging and evolving conversations among professionals, specifically Black professionals, regarding reclaiming some of our ancestral knowledge, values, and sacred practices around healing. Some of the most impactful practices within our lineage are grounded in spirituality and align with some of the behaviors and practices of Jesus. As one scholar frames it, spirituality within the context of Black communities is considered “a life-affirming force which is responsible for strength in the face of adversity, inspiration, vitality, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.” [ 3 ] This scholar describes spiritual respite as a form of self-care and outlines ways we can draw upon the work of Black psychology and lessons from our ancestors to invite restoration (some of which I am presently prioritizing myself):
Solitude & Self-Reflection—Connecting with ourselves and pausing and taking space for introspection (i.e., setting intentions and affirmations, engaging gratitude and self-compassion, journaling, meditation, prayer, reading scripture/texts)
Connection & Community—Connecting and reconnecting with others who inspire, encourage, and challenge us
Reconnecting Through Nature—Spending intentional time in nature, especially without the distractions of phones and media (i.e., taking walks, meditating in natural spaces, gardening, hiking, taking trips to the beach/lake)
Reach Back & Get (Sankofa)—Connecting with our histories more deeply (i.e., through books/narratives, media); reconnecting with elders; reclaiming and re-incorporating traditions and sacred practices
Additional Things That Might Help [4 ]
Tending to our basic needs (i.e., eating, sleeping, and fluid-intake habits)
Getting physically active
Seeking therapy/counseling
Seeking guidance from mentors/spiritual leaders
Engaging in meaningful hobbies
Engaging in “sensory rest” (limiting screen time, media consumption, taking time away from phone when able)
As we enter another week where the stress and weight of the world might be placed on our shoulders, let us consistently and compassionately remember ourselves. May we find the clarity and restoration embodied by Jesus’ moments of solitude. May we embrace the strength of the spiritual foundation lovingly passed on from our ancestors and carried through generations. And may we connect with ourselves and the world around us in meaningful ways that keep our fire going and spark radical joy.
Recommended Books, Podcasts, & People to Follow
Books
Podcasts
People/Accounts to Follow (Instagram)
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What do you need from the Holy Trinity to help you navigate burnout and seek rest?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Genesis 2:2-3
Exodus 33:12-14
Psalm 55:4-8
Psalm 62:1-2
Proverbs 3:21-24
Matthew 11:28-30
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.”
Bell Hooks
Comments