Life happens. Every day as a matter of fact. Sometimes it’s easy to roll with what life gives us. Other times it can cause our world to turn upside down.
Intentions are great when life rolls with those intentions. But, when life throws a wrench in those intentions it is easy to feel frazzled, frustrated and feel like a failure.
How do we manage to find calm in the midst of a crazy day, week, month or even year?
I have come to learn that when life happens and my days don’t go as planned to take a deep breath and ask myself if there is something I can control in the situation. If there is, I try to focus on the things I can control so I don’t feel so out of control. If the situation is beyond my control I remind myself that it is okay to reprioritize my to do list and then I focus on the task at hand rather than the task I thought I should be doing instead.
My massage license is up for renewal and I needed to take continuing education classes. I was in class three days last week (three really long days). With our morning routine of getting everyone up, ready and out the door, my commute to class (40 miles), the eight hours in class and my commute home (another 40 miles), I found myself with no time for exercise, little time to care for my family and no time to sit and write.
By the third day I was feeling frazzled and frustrated that I was not keeping up with my intentions to move my body daily or blog consistently. The enemy was using my frazzled feelings to make me feel like a failure. The condemning words began to penetrate my heart and I began to doubt myself.
Isn’t it like our enemy to kick us when we’re down? I admire all of you working mommas out there. This routine is not my normal routine. By day three I was physically exhausted from the work we did in class but more so I was emotionally, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. He knew that and he used that.
Praise God that the voice of Truth rang louder than the enemy’s voice.
God reminded me that I am not a failure. Life happens and this was a moment of interruption, not a life sentence of failure.
This class was a requirement for the renewal of my license. Giving my family the last of my energy was more important than any post I could write on my blog. Catching up with my home duties the last two days of the week were a necessity. Meeting with my ministry team was of higher value. Ministering to the homeless downtown alongside my family and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ was a greater blessing. Today, a spontaneous lunch date with my husband was of greater value than a blog post.
Life will happen. Our plans will get messed up. Our intentions may not come to fruition. We can choose to find calm in the midst of the crazy or we can join the crazy. I would rather find the calm.
Today was a new day. My intentions of moving my body daily were back on track and I found time in the midst of a busy day to sit and share my thoughts.
If life has happened and you find yourself feeling frazzled or frustrated, don’t allow your feelings to convince you of failure. Take a deep breath. Evaluate your situation. If there is something you can take control of do so. If the situation is out of your control allow yourself to reprioritize your to-do list and then focus on the task at hand.
Most importantly, keep your focus on God. He sees the whole picture. There is nothing that catches Him off guard. He is never frazzled by our life. If we trust in Him we need not be frazzled either.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” NIV
Message version: "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
Prince of Peace, give me your peace in the midst of a frazzled day. Help me to focus on You and not the situation.