When Your World is Spinning
Have you ever felt like you were in the middle of a whirlwind? You know what I mean – everything is spinning out of control and you feel like each day gets busier than the last one. With so much going on and only a limited amount of time to get it all done, you may want to just stop the train you’re on and get off at the relaxation station!
I’ve felt that way lately. I try to plan my days so I can accomplish what I need to get done that day. Sometimes I make written lists and check them off so, at least, I feel like I got something done on that day! I feel so prepared to tackle the day…and then the phone rings, or I get a text or an email message, or my brain kicks in and I remember something I promised to do for someone that day and…you all understand, I’m sure.
I will readily admit that when I get in such a state, I’m not always as nice as I should be. The problem with this is that my frustration is not directed toward those who are causing it, but usually it is directed toward those with whom I live – in other words, my husband. In my defense, he gets in a similar state quite often, and I catch the worst of his mood too.
I guess I’m making an assumption that we are not the only people who live in the middle of a whirlwind sometimes. So, if we all suffer from this at one time or another, what can we do to make it better?
We can begin by learning to say a little two letter word – “No!” Many of us struggle with doing this because we like to feel needed and helpful to others, but in reality we are not able to do it all. When we become overloaded with “things” to do, both in our own life and in helping others, we can become useless to everyone. For someone who has always tried to be there for others and pushed themselves to do more and more, it is very difficult to say no. What I’ve discovered is that when I do say no, the world keeps spinning and others take my place. Think about Moses trying to handle all of the needs of the whiney Israelites. His father-in-law Jethro stepped in and helped him learn how to share the responsibilities (Exodus 18). We need to learn to do the same.
We also must learn to focus upon what is most important in our lives. In our earthly lives, our families are our first responsibility. We fail in instilling within them a sense of calm and peace when they see us constantly complaining about how much we have to do. While all of our duties in this life are important, our focus should ultimately be upon pleasing God. Putting Him first (Matthew 6:33) will help us with acting the way He would have us to act.
Finally, I think one of the best things we can do is to engrave in our minds an important passage of scripture. When we become overwhelmed with so many things to do, we should stop and think about Psalm 46. It begins with these words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (vs. 1). It ends with “Be still, and know that I am God…The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vss. 10-11).
I wrote this for myself. I hope it helps you.
Next stop…relaxation station with a copy of God’s word.
AUTHOR: Donna Faughn