I have just about wrapped up my biggest personal project for the year at work. After several weeks of intense work, I have about 5 more days to go, and then the sort/sift, evaluation and follow-ups to come for what looks like quite a while afterward, but the heavy lift to get it started is almost complete. I love my work. I love serving God here, with these people, and for His glory. And with all the good that will come from this work, I am still human. And this puppy is tired.
I’m not unfamiliar with burning my candle at both ends. I’ve walked that road many times before. I’ve also failed to recognize it before, and wound up crashing. When you come to God spent, and have nothing left but your tears…? I have learned now what the price of that pacing is, and often hear Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, saying to “Delegate! Delegate!”
Last week, I had a pre-planned day off. I shifted it from the week before because I didn’t feel like I could afford to miss out on in-office time for the project. Last week I took it, reluctantly at first, because I felt my body telling me I was going to get sick and wear out for longer if I didn’t rest…so I chose to rest.
Nothing was lost because I rested. Nothing collapsed. The earth kept rotating and spinning around the sun. All was well.
So this week, with the final countdown on, I’m in a place to examine the process a little more clearly. I’m not looking at numbers. Not checking any in-coming or out-going elements until I get into the office tomorrow. Today, I’m doing other things, essential things, but not work.
I know we often get to these places where we get into cycles of feeling and being busy. There’s a degree of situational anxiety that often creeps in, and that feeling of overwhelm is so easy to get lost in. Sometimes we can feel like we’re doing good stuff, great work, progressing in our goals…but also like we’re drowning, too.
I’ve found a few things that help when I get in this space, but I can’t do anything about being in that space until I see or acknowledge I’m there. So, #1 is…
Admission of Twisted Priority
Addicts in recovery can’t start their journey until they admit they have a problem, and that it’s too big for them to handle alone. For those of use who may find ourselves in repeated cycles of busyness, we need to do the same thing. “Hello. My name is Ben.” “Hi, Ben.” “I’m here today to say I’ve gotten out of control again, and I don’t even know what day of the week it is. I’m too busy for my own good.” *clapping*
It’s good for me to admit to myself that I’ve taken on too much, or haven’t scheduled myself well yet again. But what really helps is talking to someone else about it, someone who can help hold me accountable. My wife can do that, for sure, but I also have an accountability partner, too. I have to admit it, to say it out loud. And then I need to listen and get some advice.
It’s been a badge of honor in western society for quite some time to brag about just how busy we are…but a bunch of alcoholics standing in bar talking about how much they drink aren’t getting any better either. Our identity doesn’t come from a packed schedule. As a Christian, my identity can only come from Jesus Christ. My inability to pace myself doesn’t add credibility to my position. Instead, it does quite the opposite.
I have to admit that I’m struggling.
“Come to me, all 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
#2 Seek Wisdom and Help
As I admit my struggle, my overwhelm, my messed up priorities, I also need to be ready to be quiet, to listen and to seek wisdom. James 1:5 tells us to come and ask the Father when we need wisdom. He loves giving it out to His kids. He tells us in Proverbs, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (23:23) Wisdom is more valuable than our worries. Wisdom is of greater worth than our assumptions about our position.
We will find ourselves encouraged as we seek it, because we’ll be seeking Him. In our weariness, we come. In our need, we cry out. But He doesn’t stoically respond, silently receiving our cries. He is with us, mighty to save. He rejoices over us with LOUD singing, and He quiets us with His love. (Zeph. 3:17) In Him, we find wisdom and help, and in His love, He points us toward His children, His church, to have real shoulders to lean on and real eyes to look into that can minister to us on His behalf.
Seeking wisdom and help is a logical step to take after we have come in admitting our need.
“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” – Psalm 61:2
#3 – Turn to the Word for Comfort
As you’ve likely noticed, I’ve been progressively giving more scripture the deeper we go today. That’s entirely intentional. Listen, I’ve tried to come up with answers for things plenty of times in my life. I’ve tried to dig deep, to look inside myself, and to drum up some ~logical~ way to address an issue form what I think I know is best. But I have stumbled over myself enough to know that unless I get really quiet, and stop telling God what I want to see happen, I’m just going to dig that self0made hole deeper and deeper.
I had to admit I didn’t have the answers to begin with, right? But how often do we say that, and then keep taking our own advice? How often do we keep trying to do things our own way, even after we’ve said that way doesn’t work? I talk to people pretty frequently who say “I’ve tried that. I’ve done that. I’ve already been down that road.” and they’re in no position to listen. They still think their way is best. The can’t see any alternatives beyond what they can comprehend in the moment, and they are blinded by their hurts and fears to the point where they can’t accept the fact that they’re stuck in a cycle of their own making.
When everyone else is wrong, and when no way works, and when we get frustrated because we feel stuck…maybe it’s not the world around us that’s broken. Maybe it’s us. Maybe we’re the reason we can’t move forward. Maybe, just maybe…we need some humility, and to throw up our hands in submission, be quiet, and finally learn how to get unstuck.
That’s one of the hardest things to do, but it is essential if we want to get out of the cycle of overwhelm.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Proverbs 15:33 – The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 29:23 – One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 22:17 – Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
And we can go on, right? God points us toward humility. His Word stands as our guide. We admit our need, seek wisdom, and turn to His Word. Pretty simple, but powerful and effective if we’ll just make that our top priority.
Steps to Consider:
1. Admit and Surrender Your Limits to God
Take time this week to confess to God areas where you’ve been overextending yourself. Share this with a mentor or accountability partner who can help you manage priorities better.
2. Intentionally Seek God’s Wisdom Daily
Establish a daily quiet time where you seek God’s wisdom through scripture. Use this time to pray specifically for guidance and wisdom in managing your tasks, and ask for peace that transcends your circumstances.
3. Rest in His Presence and Let Go of Control
Schedule a day (or a portion of a day) this week specifically for rest. Use this time to disconnect from work, reflect on God’s goodness, and allow Him to renew your strength. Consider practices like prayer walks, journaling, or simply resting in silence before God.
By following these steps—admitting your limits, seeking wisdom, and intentionally resting in God’s presence—Christians can begin to leave behind the cycles of busyness and anxiety, embracing the peace and rest that God offers.
Books to consider:
My Daily Disciplines: A Guidebook for Personal Faithfulness
BenHedgspeth.com 