How Do You Balance Life’s Demands?

I keep my life in balance by FOCUSING on Jesus!

Ahh yeah, what an appropriate “ministerial response”, but straight-up – it’s true!  Long before I was a woman in ministry, the Lord taught me to desperately cling to Him if I wanted to keep things running smoothly on the home-front and with life, in general.

Matthew 6:33 tells us plainly, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What things?  Peace things, Joy things, Freedom things…  I’m still learning that when I seek Him first thing in the morning, then the flow of my day goes immeasurably different than when I don’t. 

Here are some ways I seek Him first.  These biblical strategies are for YOU, too!

Ø       First thing in the morning (and yes, I have to get up early), I quietly worship through singing and meditating on Scripture.  I linger over a particular verse and don’t get in a hurry.  I’ve found it’s more worshipful to savor a small serving  of Scripture than to gulp down a mega portion.

Ø       I keep a “detail book”.  I daily list those things that I wouldn’t typically pray about: stopping by the bank, drycleaners, grocery store, etc.,  making phone calls, fixing meals … you know, those things that fill up my ENTIRE day!  I then pray over each of these, acknowledging that He is the Lord of my details and has a purpose in each of these areas which fill up my life.

Ø       Throughout each day, I look for opportunities to say,  “Lord, I appreciate You!” I’m finding that as I acknowledge His kindness and goodness to me, He brings me more in tune with His Heart of love.

Ø       Ongoing conversation with the Holy Spirit, who is God, Himself … keeps me aware of the provisions I have through His shed blood.  For instance, when I’m agitated, I speak, “Thank You Spirit, for Your peace.” When someone gets on my nerves, I breathe “Thank You for gentleness and kindness.”   Since Jesus lives in my heart, so does all the fruit listed in Galatians 5:22.  When I thank Him, He seems to rush to manifest exactly what I need at that given moment.

These are such simple strategies that  help me move into the presence of God – and stay there!  It’s a deliberate choice and one that seriously helps me balance all the ends and outs of any given day. God, in His sweet love and awesome grace, never makes it hard!  But He does allow ME to choose how much of Him I want to experience!