OXYGEN

This morning was tough. 

The weight of all that was in front of me for the week, the month, the year was pressing in. I faced serious temptation to just “run into my day”. 

My to-do list far overshot my time capacity. My mind and emotions battled and the pressure increased within me. The compulsion to yell out, “I can’t do this!” was taunting. 

The signs of turmoil and anxiousness were real. Perhaps these sound familiar:

1. Feeling like I was running on the inside.
2. Mentally trying to focus on everything, yet truly not focusing well on anything.
3. Easily distracted by my surroundings; compulsive desire to check email and voicemail.
4. Not fully present in the moment with those I am speaking to. 

“Stop and choose to be in the moment. Own YOUR thoughts and emotions. No one can do that work for you. Know that anxiety and worry are NOT from God.”

The irony for me is that I have been working on my capacity to focus, to be fully present and productive for a long time – and yet here I am again. The even bigger irony is that I teach this “stuff”! Sometimes it feels like one step forward and two steps back.

However, I have learned not to be surprised. My human tendencies are very real. I am still a “work in progress”. I am not surprised that I am reminded, once again this morning, of my need to be RENEWED by the One who made me and who loves me. Mmmmmm Grace again!! 

How about you? What’s your inner person like as you read this?

• Overwhelmed?
• Running fast?
• Pressed but OK?
• OK?
• Restful?

God’s spirit both humbled and reminded me this morning of my need to continually grow more like Him. Here are “5 Tips To Help You Breathe Well While In The Press!!”

1. Stop! Stop and choose to be in the moment. Own your thoughts and emotions. No one can do that work for you. Know that anxiety and worry are NOT from God. He has called us to rest in Him. Learn to be honest with yourself and with Him.
2. Engage! Engage with Christ in a way that is not just intellectually thinking about Him, but enjoying Him. Connect with Him as the dear friend He says He is – in rich, quiet, meaningful conversation. Allow God to remind you of who He is and whose you are. John 15:1-17 becomes real again in these moments. Jesus is our vine, and we are His branches. He is our closest friend.
3. Focus!  Rid yourself of the temptation to focus activity on low value things. We have only so many hours in the day – stay focused on HIGH VALUE. Christ did not fill His day with low value things.  Neither should we!
4. Protect! Don’t just schedule your high value activities – PROTECT them. Jesus knew exactly what He was called to do. Other people didn’t run His agenda. He knew what his business was about and he protected it. We, too, need to “know our business at work and at home” and protect it.
5. Do!  Regarding things most important, Jesus did them. As He was engaged with his Father, He didn’t just think about, focus on or protect them – He did them. He completed the work He was called to do. That’s why in John 17:4 He was able to say to his Father, “I have brought glory to You by completing the work you gave me to do.” You and I are no different. We are called “to DO His work.”

What will you do the next time you need to “breathe”?  My invitation is this:

1. Stop
2. Re-engage
3. Focus
4. Protect
5. Do