We return in this post to consider several more symptoms of hurry sickness that John Mark Comer sets forth in his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. There are ten in all. The first sign, irritability, was dealt with in a previous post and the fifth through tenth will be considered at a later date. So here are two, three and four.
Hypersensitivity - All it takes is a minor comment to hurt your feelings, a grumpy email to set you off, or a little turn of events to throw you into an emotional funk and ruin your day. Minor things quickly escalate to major emotional events. Depending on your personality, this might show up as anger or nitpickeyness or anxiety or depression or just tiredness. Point is, the ordinary problems of life this side of Eden have a disproportionate effect on your emotional well-being and relational grace. You can’t seem to roll with the punches.
Restlessness - When you actually do try to slow down and rest, you can’t relax. You give Sabbath a try, and you hate it. You read Scripture but find it boring. You have quiet time with God but can’t focus your mind. You go to bed early but toss and turn with anxiety. You watch TV but simultaneously check your phone, fold laundry, and get into a spat on Twitter (okay, maybe you just answer an email). Your mind and body are hyped up on the drug of speed, and when they get the next dopamine fix, they shiver.
Workaholism (or just nonstop activity) - You just don’t know when to stop. Or worse, you can’t stop. Another hour, another day, another week. Your drugs of choice are accomplishment and accumulation. These could show up as careerism or just as obsessive housecleaning and errand running. Result: you fall prey to “sunset fatigue,” where by day’s end you have nothing left to give to your spouse, children, or loved ones. They get the grouchy, curt, overtired you, and it’s not pretty.
Saints, if you are like me, at least one of those has at least a pinch of conviction. Let me encourage you to take an honest look at your life and open yourself to the examination and evaluation of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to come and uncover the deeper roots of these symptoms and signs. If sin is revealed at the root, repent and turn once again to Jesus. If unbelief or doubt is exposed, ask the Lord to help your unbelief. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable before your Heavenly Father. Through the work of our Savior, He has drawn near to us and encourages us to draw near to Him. We can do so because we have a sympathetic high priest in Jesus and are blessed to have access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). Let us not dismiss or demean this blessing but let us honor the giver of it by making use of it. To do so is for our good and glorifies Him.
