Whoa, Let me off the ride! I don't know how long I can keep holding on! Have you ever felt that way? Maybe that explains exactly how you feel right now. Well your not the only one. I have been talking to people all week and I am hearing the same thing from all over the place.
What most of us don't stop to realize is, this is an extremely effective form of spiritual attack. If you are busy, stressed and frustrated, searching for enough time to even catch your breath than you are certainly in the midst of war. When all of our time goes into trying to keep our heads above water, then the enemy has the upper hand. No longer are you able to pick the things you enjoy or know God would have for your day, but instead you do what it takes to survive. After all the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
So here is the good news. You have the authority and the ability to set things right and put your priorities in order the way you know they should be. Here are a few helps for you.
The first step is to acknowledge your situation and accept responsibility for allowing it to get this way. Its not that you meant for it to turn out this way but regardless it is what it is.
Secondly is to give yourself permission to rectify the situation. You know there will be hard decisions ahead and it will not be easy. You know at some point you will disappoint someone and that's never easy, but you cannot please everyone and live for their expectations.
Thirdly is to ask God for forgiveness for losing perspective and ask for His sovereign hand to fix it.
The fourth step may very well be the most difficult, stop everything! that's right absolutely everything. On the up side you will be immediately putting some things back in immediately, the down side is you will have to fight the urge to put the things that monopolize your time in a negative way back in right away, don't do it. Send out an email, text people, call them or do whatever you feel peace about but let people know you will be out of commission for awhile. You may want to give a brief explanation to help them understand its nothing personal but you are drowning in a pool of over commitment.
Make a list of all the things that you feel need to go back on your calendar and put an "A", "B", or "C" next to them. Simply put you are separating good, better, best. Consider the consequences and the benefits as well as the draw backs by putting these on your calendar. Discern what things will honor God, build your family and leave you time to do the things that bring you enjoyment.
As you put things back into the mix, place them on a calendar and only put the "A"s back on to begin with. If two of these contradict one of them must be placed on the "B" list. Maintain the attitude that you cannot continue to over commit yourself.
As a personal note, may I recommend that you place daily time with the Lord on your A list? Place family on the A list. Don't forget to put priority on these areas.
You have probably already figured out the plan of putting things back on your schedule but here is the catch. Operate on an "A"-list. Some of the items on the "B" list will make your calendar but be choosy. You can add things as you go and I would highly recommend not putting the entire "B" list back on. be patient and be confident before adding things. Your "C" list things may not ever make it to your calendar again. That's ok, in fact that's the goal, right?
I think if you take the time to evaluate how you spend your time and you make the necessary changes, follow it through, you will emerge victorious and find more enjoyment in life. Isn't it worth a try?
Keep your chin up and your calendar open.
P.M.
