I don’t know about you, but this has been one of the hardest seasons of life I have ever walked through. When I get something accomplished, instead of having a breather, another deadline or commitment jumps on my plate that causes me—like a hamster on a wheel—to run even faster. Just when I think Jerry and I might have some down time, all of a sudden our calendar is once again full.
You may be thinking, That’s your fault. You need to learn to say “no.” Sometimes, that’s true. But not all the time. What is happening feels strangely out of control.
What I am hearing over and again from friends and family is, I’m overwhelmed. Or, I’m exhausted. I can’t seem to catch up! I don’t understand why my life is crazier than it ever has been.
What is happening?
There is an art to saying “No,” and I was taught that invaluable lesson about twenty-five years ago by a dear neighbor who, watching me as a mid-thirties mom, witnessed me saying yes with a smile to everything that was put in front of me. My sweet friend’s advice was, Just say “No.” You don’t need to offer an explanation or an excuse, but with kindness, decline those invitations that will spread you way too thin.
I suspect with all that is going on worldwide though, it is more than that.
The Bible tells us that Satan is “…the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2 esv) With everything social media, I believe he is having a hayday stirring everyone and everything up.
But we who belong to the Lord are not those who are sons of disobedience. We obeyed the Truth of the Gospel when we put our trust in Jesus—in Him alone—to save us.
So, we have a choice. We can stay in the fray or…
- We can run to Jesus. That is paramount! In Him, we will find the rest we so desperately desire. Jesus is ALL we need. We forget that so easily. We get caught in the moment, and caught on the hamster wheel. We forget that HE is the answer. We need to always look to Him.
- We need to believe God’s Word wholeheartedly. When He tells us to pray without ceasing and to pray about everything, that should be our first response in every instance of our daily lives (1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:6). When I find myself spinning out of control, I can tell you, it’s because I forgot to ask. Or I forgot to wait on Him.
- It’s so easy to forge ahead. When I have found myself at the helm of MY good idea and the wheels suddenly fall off, I begin to realize it was never HIS idea at all.
These days are hard and will get harder, but we need to stand. Not in our own strength, but in the Lord’s. We need to put on the armor of God.
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:14-18 (ESV)
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our eyes on You. Please teach us to pray about everything. There is nothing too small or insignificant for You. Thank you for Your lavish love. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Kimberly
