DO YOU KNOW WHAT CASCADE MEANS?  If you have a few minutes, allow me to share a short definition and personal story with you.  As you and I pursue our God-given dreams and purpose, we need to be aware of the pitfalls that stand to derail us so that they can either be avoided or overcome. 

 Avalanche Cascade

THE DEFINITION 

Cas-cade: (noun)  It is a chemical or physiological process that occurs in successive stages, each of which is dependent on the preceding one, and often producing a cumulative effect. 

To put it simply: it is a sequence of consecutive actions which add up over time.  You can think of it as an avalanche, which begins with only a handful of snow, but grows over time and becomes an overwhelming force!

THE STORY 

For the past few weeks, I had beed growing increasingly tired - physically, mentally and spiritually.  Work and ministry weighed heavily on me.  I found myself not being able to get enough sleep.  Physically, I was becoming exhausted, but mentally and spiritually I was still at a high point. 

A few days went by and I began to notice that I was slowly becoming mentally exhausted.  My thoughts were moving at a slower pace as it became increasingly difficult to concentrate.  I did, however, have spurts of energy when doing something new and exciting, but overall I had become both physically and mentally worn out.

Then a few more days went by and I began to notice the subtle slipping of my spiritual self.  Inwardly, I was becoming restless and when I read God’s Word, it felt like nothing was penetrating my heart and mind.  I was so tired and busy that my prayer time steadily declined (when I did pray it felt as if my prayers weren’t getting through).  It was all I could do to force out a “Lord… help me…”  I could draw no power as I continually felt as if I was sinking into the darkness of depression.

Then came the assault as a myriad of thoughts - contrary to my God-given calling and identity - began to clamp down on my mind.  I began to inwardly question my existence and felt as if I wanted to crawl under a rock and die. 

I was spent: emotionally, mentally and physically drained.  I felt there was no one who I could talk with about this.  Everyone I knew had their own issues and I didn’t want them having to deal with my problem on top of their own.  But how did I get like this?  By now I had noticed the pattern… the cascading effect building.

Then on Monday night (10/1/), I had to go to church for a meeting.  I really didn’t want to be there and was just going through the motions.  Honestly, I wanted to cry out and leave, but I pressed through the meeting.  Afterward I was talking with a sister in Christ and she asked me how I was doing and I mentioned feeling exhausted.  She was concerned.  A few minutes later I was talking with a brother in the LORD and felt led to pray for him. 

I thought about my own problems and didn’t FEEL LIKE praying for him… yet, I had learned this lesson already - “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
It is often when we expend ourselves for the cause of God in the lives of others that we receive from God what we ourselves need.

And so I prayed for my brother (putting my issues aside) and it was in that moment of praying for him… that the LORD brought my breakthrough.  When the prayer was over, my entire being felt energized!  Physically, mentally and spiritually I felt alive!  I stood amazed and joyful.  God had intervened in a desperate situation, providing a jump start and a reminder to make sure I TAKE TIME to take care of myself.

THE CONCLUSION 

Why do I share this personal story with you?  Because as I stated in the beginning, we need to be watchful for the pitfalls that seek to derail us as we walk towards the destiny that is waiting for us.  We are whole individuals (spirit, soul, body) although we are often too busy in our technological and stress-filled lifestyles to live out this Reality.

In the natural, when our body becomes overly tired, our Immune System weaken and we become susceptible to bacteria and viruses in our environment.  So too, when we become mentally tired, our Spiritual Immune system is weakened and we become susceptible to the attacks of the invisible enemy around us.

It is a cascading effect that has a cumulative consequence. 

So as we pursue our God-given destiny, let us remember that everything within us is CONNECTED and MAKE TIME to take care of our body, our mind and our spirit.  Let us live in the Reality of being whole individuals and we will be in a better position to achieve the purpose for which we were created. 
 
God bless and feel free to share your feedback.

-Allen Paul Weaver III-