Counselor's Corner: Breaking Free of Busyness

Lately I have been feeling rushed, hurried and pressured. When I got alone with God this morning and was able to quiet my mind, I realized my schedule has been busy. The calendar that I had made for the month of May was full and it’s only the first week of May and I can already feel the affects of being busy.

I don’t operate well when there are too many obligations and activities on my schedule. I like to go at a slow pace, not rushed, and feel like I have time to pull back when I need to.

Many times, we fill our schedules overflowing because we feel obligated to certain people or activities, and we certainly don’t want to let anyone down. However, we cannot “burn the candle at both ends.” Something in your life will suffer if you are too busy, your marriage, your children, or even your physical health.

Some people seem to be able to go continually and always have something to do or somewhere to go. I do not believe God designed for us to be continually on the move. Our bodies need rest, and we need breaks from the demands of life. The Sabbath day is intended for that, but so few people actually take a weekly sabbath.

Busyness and distractions are tools of the enemy to keep your focus on everything “you should be doing,” instead of what Holy Spirit is leading you to do.

The enemy uses busyness and distractions to ‘quietly” step in the “backdoor” of your life. You won’t see him coming because your too busy and distracted.

Take some time and look at your schedule, if you are packed with activities that are not essential and you are not feeling strong physically, mentally or spiritually, start cutting back all that is not necessary. Say “No,” to people and activities that are not vital.

You must have time to breathe, rest, be still and hear the Holy Spirit. Being too busy and distracted can hinder your ability to hear the Holy Spirit. When we are not led by the Holy Spirit we are led by our emotions and feelings and this can cause confusion over what we should or should not be involved in.

Counselor's Corner: Feeling Overwhelmed?

What are you chasing after more? Time with God, money, people, or possessions? When you begin to experience stress, fatigue, and a feeling of being burdened, it’s time to pull back and reevaluate why.

Oftentimes, we take on too much that God has not called us to, and we take on the responsibilities of others; this is called a false sense of responsibility. When we are living in God’s Divine plan, there is peace and order. When we don’t place God first, our lives become unmanageable. We have a sense that we cannot handle all of life’s problems. Let’s face it, life is tough and without spending time with God to hear His voice and direction; we will get burdened.

The enemy has a plan to create as much havoc and chaos is our lives, and keep us distracted.

Just because something seems good, does not mean it is good for us. We are not to copy what others are doing either. So many times, people get frustrated and overwhelmed because they are trying to mimic what someone else is doing.

You are not meant to do everything and be everything to everybody, this can lead to people-pleasing. If you please man more and not God, you are going to be weighed down.

God has specific tasks for each one of us, but you will not know what those are unless you spend time with God. Our busyness, is not Godly or Holy, but a tactic of the enemy to wear us out.

Don’t try and follow what the crowd does, but know what your unique plan is from God.

Other people will not like it when you tell them, “No,” be prepared for this. You must know what YOU are supposed to do. Stop looking around at everyone else for direction. God has not called you to be a copycat. You will find that others will want you to do what they are doing, but you must step away from the desire to please man.

To get your life back in order and free from the pressures and demands of people and life, pull away and be with God alone, especially when you are exhausted. Being tired and overworked is not God’s plan for you. It does not matter what other’s expect from you, but what God desires for you.

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30

Some questions to reflect on:

1.      What do you need to cut back on or cut out of your life to be free from over-responsibility?

2.      What do you crave and desire most from your life? Are you pursuing God first?

3.      Are you a people-pleaser? How do you know? What can you do differently?

4.      Do you feel overwhelmed, burdened? If yes, why? Do you believe this is God’s plan for you?