As I write this and reflect on our journey these past few months, I am reminded how God is always doing something new in our lives. Our lives are filled with definite seasons. We not only have the seasons represented on our calendars, but we have personal seasons where our responsibilities and roles change. Some of these personal seasons last for years, such as the season of raising our children. Some seasons are very short, lasting only weeks or months, as when we find ourselves having to relocate for a job or recuperate from an injury.
I believe God gave us both types of seasons as a source of joy and blessings to us. He knows change is good and inspiring for us. Seasons marking our calendar often bless us with different temperature and weather patterns as well as changes in the number of daylight hours. If we live in an area with marked seasonal changes, we can cozy up to the fireplace in the dark, cold, longer nights of winter as well as bask in the sunshine on the hot, lazy days of summer. Having both allows us to appreciate each all the more.
Some seasons can be especially stressful when we are asked to take on more than seems humanly possible to handle. If you find yourself in a particularly busy season of life, I believe God will give you the grace to handle your responsibilities until the season is over. A few years ago, God blessed me by showing me four things we can do when we face the busy seasons in our lives. By making these practices a part of our daily lives, we will reduce our stress levels as well as stay connected to God.
Remember + Recharge + Refocus + Rely = Relief
Remember: We must purposely remember the God whom we serve. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV). No matter how stressful our days become, we are never alone. God is walking with us, guiding us, and providing us with the strength we need to see us through whatever we are facing. Also, reflecting on the ways God has seen us through other stress-filled times in our lives will help give us the perspective that this, too, shall pass.
Recharge: We need to allow ourselves time to relax and take breaks from our daily responsibilities. This means time for fun things that bring us joy as well as time with God, allowing Him to refresh us. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16, NIV). If taking time to pray was important for Jesus to fit into His busy days, how much more so it is for us! Our time with God should be guarded and prioritized. The little things that bring joy to our lives such as spending time with family and friends or enjoying our favorite hobby are also very important. Even if our busy days allow us only brief moments of our favorite activities, these small bits of refreshing will ease our stress levels. Thankfully, as with nature, seasons change, and as our schedules ease up, we will most likely be able to enjoy more of our favorite pastimes.
Refocus: We need to find someone else to think about besides ourselves, someone whom we can bless. ” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). This verse clearly calls us to serve others, so we must guard against letting our busy lives prevent us from doing this work. It may be providing a listening ear for a hurting friend. Or perhaps as simple as an encouraging word to someone on Facebook. This may be the hardest of the practices to implement. We often find it hard to justify taking the time to add something else to our to-do list when our schedules are already overcrowded. However, as God has called us to do this, He will also provide us with the ability to carry it out.
Rely: We must choose to rely on God as we face the uncertainties in our lives. Stressful times can often cause us to think the worst about situations and easily feel overwhelmed by our day-to-day struggles. We must rely on God’s goodness; everything that has come into our lives has passed through the filter of His loving hands. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
We must also rely on His strength; no problem we face is too big for God. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV). Lastly, we must rely on His love for us. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV).
As inhabitants of this world, we are going to have problems and struggles as well as seasons with more challenges and difficulties. In fact, Jesus Himself told us that in this world, we will have trouble. Thankfully we have someone we can turn to for help. When you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and beaten up by this world, turn to Him. He is always listening, and He has all the answers. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8, NIV).
This is an excerpt from Joy All Around Us
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