I let the everyday details of life consume me. I guess I've always been this way, but I didn't see it as a problem until a few years ago. I hate it. This tendency has turned my living into a daily trudging through the obligations I am required to fulfill (or think I'm required to fulfill), which leaves little room for joy. I have had a wonderful Thanksgiving break, and one of the best things I've gotten out of it is that it has shown me how flawed I am in my way of life. Why feel peace, joy, and contentment only when I'm off work? I know God desires more for me.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b).
So now what do I do? Sure, I'll start my morning tomorrow trying to be cheerful---I may even make it an hour---but then some work-related email will knock me off my emotional feet and my forehead will furrow, my shoulders will tense up, and my spirit will sag. The apostle Paul put it best:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do" (Romans 7:15).
One thing is to remind myself that God loves me and is patient with me. He wants me to enjoy the life He's given me.
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all---how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
"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).
I also need to arm myself with Scriptures that are specific to my struggles.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).
Lastly, I must remember that every moment is a clean slate.
"[His compassions] are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23).
"And the God of all grace...will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10).
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).
Stand firm, friends. And please pray for me. I'll be praying for you.
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