It’s the American dream; a core belief inscribed in looping ink upon the face of the constitution and passed from one to generation to the next. We are “endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Yet, this modern time has been termed “the age of anxiety”, depression is at a near-epidemic level, and suicide rates rank as one of the leading causes of death from the ages of 10-54.
[bbctt tweet="...in the collective pursuit of happiness, we seem to have lost hope.#Jeremiah29:11#hopeinChrist#thereismore"]
In our unending desire for life? We’ve exchanged the constraint of quiet for high-reaching, go-getting, prove-myself ambitions. In pursuit of personal freedom? We’ve subjected ourselves to the poverty of busyness. And in the collective pursuit of happiness? We seem to have lost hope.
Like most women, I struggle to discover balance. A settled sense of purpose intermingled with the intentional practice of both work and play. A confidence in saying”yes” to the best while determining that “no” is also an acceptable answer.
[bbctt tweet=A settled sense of purpose intermingled with the intentioanl practice of both work and play...#managingstress#overscheduled#intentionalliving"]
In this world of high-stakes and high-demands, how can we live fully without being frazzled? Scripture points us toward a permanent, soul-satisfying pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness in just a few simple steps.
Stop Striving
Scripture reassures, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)
If our striving and ambition are driven by fear or a need to prove ourselves worthy, then our goals are misguided. We may plan our way, but “the Lord determines our steps”. (Proverbs 16:9) We can rely on Him to guide and lead us.
Live Intentionally Free
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:3)
While this verse addresses the problem of being chained to more ‘traditionally accepted’ sins once we’ve been loosed by Christ’s love, I believe we can also give our freedom in Him up to the idol of busyness.
[bbctt tweet="...being comfortable with doing less has the potential to allow us to do the most important.#beaMary#atthefeetofJesus#bestill"]
As women, being comfortable with doing less even when others might expect more has the potential to allow us to do that which is most important, spending time at the feet of Jesus. Intentionally choosing to be a Mary in our Martha-amazed world.
Practice Receiving Instead of Getting
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matthew 6:33)
Paul reveals that God understands our needs. He knows each of us intimately and personally and, like any Father, will look to our concerns. But, He longs for us to inhale a deep, soul-filling breath of Jesus; to recognize the reality of the unseen Eternal. Our joy is in Him, not in the passing pleasures of today.
Altering our perspective of real and lasting life, liberty, and happiness transforms our ability to move from frazzled to refreshed. From empty to energized. From burned-out to blessed.
If you feel frazzled, why not begin implementing the three steps above by doing the following:
- Make a list of everything on your to-do list for the next week. Categorize each item in three categories: Imperative, Important, Unimportant. Is there anything in the third category you can eliminate from your list?
- Do you feel guilty when you say “no” to a request? Journal for a few minutes and ask God to reveal what lies at the core of your discomfort (i.e. a desire to please others, ministry opportunity). If you’re uncertain about whether to respond “yes” or “no” in to response to a request for your time, ask for some time to pray about it ask the Holy Spirit to provide insight.
- Spend 5 minutes being still in the Father’s presence. Now, thank Him for three blessings you’ve received from Him today.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link up with the following: LMMLinkup, Porch Stories, Tea and Word Tuesday, Blogger Voices Network, Tea and Word Tuesdays, Worth Beyond Rubies Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Soaring With Him, Purposeful Faith, Encouraging Word Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Imparting Grace, Destination Inspiration, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Faith and Friends, Faith on Fire, anitaojeda, Dance with Jesus
These are great reminders! I especially love your idea about journaling about when you feeling guilty when you say no. Will share that with my husband!
Hi Leah! I hope it’s helpful. Peace and grace, Tammy
This post resonated with me, especially this sentence: “Like most women, I struggle to discover balance.” Balance is my word for the year. Thank you for the reminders to relax and stop striving!
I definitely had to learn to say no. Realizing the pressure was not worth the time spent in feeling like why did I say yes! I like the idea of writing out your list! I coach chatters in a srisis line and I somewhat share ways they can manage anxiety. I suggest a journaling system but writing out this list would be good for those that feel overwhelmed with their schedule! #BVN
Hi April, I hope creating the list proves helpful for those with whom you talk! Blessings, Tammy
Learning to say no to unnecessary things and be content with doing less than other moms (or what I think other moms/people expect me to do) has brought me a lot of peace. Nice article.
Finding peace in saying “no” can be difficult. I’m glad you’re in that place! Peace and grace, Tammy
What a peaceful post Tammy! I stopped by via the #dancingwithJesus linkup. Sorry it took me a few day 🙂
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Hi Sherry. Thanks for your kind words and for visiting! Blessings, Tammy
What a great post. Exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you so much for the great suggestions at the end. I am putting them in my prayer journal to turn to, because I know I will need them!
Hi Cheryl. I’m so grateful you found encouragement here! Peace and grace, Tammy
I stopped by last week through a linkup and clearly my comment didn’t save 🙁 I must have really needed to read your post because I’m here again via Kelly Balare’s Linkup. I love your journaling suggestion. I’m going to use that when I feel guilty saying no. If I should have said yes, I trust God will reveal it to me, but otherwards I feel this will help those be fleeting feelings 🙂 Thanks!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Hi Sherry. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by (again). I hope the journaling is helpful to you. Peace and grace, Tammy
This was very insightful. I especially loved the line where you said, intentionally choosing to be a Mary in our Martha amazed world. This is what we all need. To sit at the feet of Jesus! Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Angela. Thanks for commenting! I pray we can all take off the Martha label and be a little more Mary. 🙂
It’s so important to make peace with a less pressured, busy, go, go, go lifestyle. At least for me. I constantly find myself struggling (even with my best attempts). This is a great reminder to take a deep breath and refocus.
Hi Rebecca. Finding that balance is challenging for me, too. I joke that I’m a Type B person living a Type A lifestyle. 🙂
Love this post! Very true
Thanks for visiting! Have a blessed weekend, Tammy
Beautiful words written here. Thank you for this! While I am a person who says no pretty well, I don’t say it enough and need these truths always. Thank you for linking up at Tell His Story so I could have these reminders today.
Hi Amber. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. Many blessings, Tammy
My former pastor once said often the Christian life is as much about choosing between the good and the best as it is between the good and the bad. It’s so easy to think more is better in every area of life including activity. Thanks for reminding us that’s not true. Blessings!