In
planning our to-do list, we often place items on it in the order of which we
feel that they are the most important for us to accomplish each day. Personal
goals, family needs, expectations from our self and others, obligations that we
made, etc. will all influence what determines their importance.
The
pressures of daily life, along with the unplanned surprises that life sprinkles
through each day, can be daunting at times. We may feel overwhelmed, worried,
fearful, weary, or even get downright depressed and despondent.
Attempting
in our own strength to overcome issues never helps, because God is our only
true "lifter of our head" (Psalm 3:3-4). Ignoring or censoring our
true feelings ruins our life too, because this always makes trials harder to
bear and affects our health and well-being.
Honest
expression of our thoughts and emotions to the Lord, our prayer partners or our
prayer journal, or our best friend will prevent them from crippling our
behavior. We are then able to rid our mind of their intensity, and to turn over
everything to our Father God for His wisdom and resolution.
In
our efforts to care for the needs of others, it is also vitally important to balance
our life by setting aside some "play time" for our self as well.
Relaxing, pursuing our favorite hobby, watching sports or a movie on TV, time
out with our family or friends, etc. are all dynamic remedies for those
unexpected times, which try to cause us stress and overwhelming challenges.
It
is vitally important for us to show as much compassion and care for our own needs
as we do for the needs of others. When the day is done, we put aside our to-do
list without regret or anxiety, and just add tomorrow's demands to the bottom
of the list.
Then,
the next day, we consult the Lord for His input and order of importance for
each item. God's will for us eliminates the toxic poison of the immediate and
unrelenting demands on our time, energy, and human resources. Walking in the
Spirit gives us His anointing to do all things for God's glory and by the
direction of His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Prayer:
Father
God, help us to stop putting undue pressure on our self to accomplish the
unrealistic schedules that we make for our self and our family. Teach us to
separate the good things in which we want to participate from the greatest events
that are in the center of Your will for us to achieve. We want to eliminate
from our life the highly toxic effects of stress, worry, and lack of sleep and
relaxation.
Help
us to congratulate and to encourage our self, rather than to criticize and
belittle our genuine efforts. Teach us that we are a person too, and we can
minister to our self in the same way that we serve one another. Help us to
erect kind and loving boundaries between us and potential threats to our mental
and emotional health. We pray to You without ceasing, because You are the only
true Light, Love and Living Water of our life both now and for eternity.
Thought
for the Day:
When
we stop accepting into our life, the events, people, and circumstances that
make us feel uncomfortable, anxious, and fearful, then we can victoriously walk
in God's Spirit through each trial we encounter with His perfect peace,
boundless joy, and bright hope for our future.
