Stepping Stones: Addiction / Addiction Treatment, Mental Health Treatment, Behavior, Attitude, Impatience, Parenting, Perspective, Decision-Making, M

20 August 2010



Transformational Thought

Just before my dad died, he had the opportunity to speak privately with each of his 14 children. He offered his last bits of advice to each of us. Some of my siblings got some heavy messages…but mine was simple. My dad told me that I needed to slow down, to not always be in such a hurry.

At a business conference last week, I actually saw a man walking down the hallway with two cell phones…one in each ear. Do you ever find yourself texting several people at once, talking to two or three people at a time on the phone, and all-the-while Googling something on your computer? And then we demand instant results. Faster Internet. Faster food. Faster answers. We want it…and we want it now! Hurry!

We juggle careers, family responsibilities, social obligations, church and volunteer activities. We hurry to fit more and more in. And we are teaching our kids to do the same. School kids fall in bed exhausted after homework, sports, and a myriad of activities.

Why? Either our insecurity and fear of missing something, falling behind, or being found out to be lesser than we want others to see, or our pride in wanting our will be done and not resting because then someone else’s plan will be done. So Satan gives us an answer: Hurry! One of the biggest enemies of our spirituality is hurry. We are so busy, so distracted, and so preoccupied that we settle for something less than the authentic Christian life. In our fast-paced culture, there is an epidemic of “hurry sickness”.

If you feel as though you are always running behind and wish that your day could be 36 hours long, you are probably suffering from hurry sickness. The results? Constant stress. Frustration. Fatigue. Strained relationships. Mixed-up priorities. And most important… neglecting time with God. That neglect can rob you of the rest and peace He wants to give you.

In today's scripture, God calls us to cease striving and know that He is God. In other words, stop trying so hard to do it all. Stop trying to do it on your own. Stop struggling. Remember that He is God. We need to spend quiet time with Him. We need to remember that He is in control. He wants us to put Him first and to rest in Him. To lean on Him for help. We need to let Him guide us in balancing our lives.

Today, the next time you are in a hurry, STOP! Ask yourself “why?” “Is this really life and death?” “Have I really even examined why I am doing this task I am so rushed and frenzied about?” Focus on Him and His plan…not our own. Only then will we be able to step off the treadmill of hurry and experience His peace. Your choice, choose wisely!

Prayer
Father, I am so tired of being so busy. I have so much going on, I know I am neglecting some of the most important things. At the top of that list is my time with You. Please forgive me. Help me to get my life and time in balance. Help me to remember to focus on you and to depend on your strength. Please heal me of this hurry sickness. I pray in the name of the most patient One, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
"Cease striving and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
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Stepping Stones Devotional

Lighthouse Network's Stepping Stones Community
  • Stepping Stones: Loss Is Your Door to His Stability
    February 10, 2012

    Transformational Thought

    As young children, one thing we learn quickly is the reality of loss. Missing a meal, seeing others whose needs do get met, losing a mother’s attention to a newborn sibling, losing a beloved toy, losing at games, loss through divorce or job relocation. Loss of innocence through abuse or extreme life circumstances.

    Life is filled with many kinds of losses. But despite the cause, one thing is certain: all loss hurts, regardless of its size. We recover quickly from some losses … but others take months or even years to absorb and process. Certain losses are temporary while others are permanent.

    In today's economic environment in which businesses are closing and downsizing, many are facing the loss of their jobs. This kind of loss can be devastating to anyone, but especially to the breadwinner of a family. Even if it is a second job, it may represent a threat to survival, credibility, and stability for our spouse or kids.

    Job loss can produce many emotions, but fear is usually at the root of any uncomfortable response. Will I lose my home? My child is leaving for college this fall—will I have to break the news that it will be impossible? We have built up credit card debt trying to keep our heads above water … what now? Who will respect me? Will our marriage survive this pressure?

    These and many other concerns are very real and can seem extremely threatening. If we keep our eyes on the waves of hardship, we will sink into despair and hopelessness. This is a time when it is difficult … but imperative … to focus on Jesus, not on the problems. This is a time to remember that He, not our job, is our source of value, peace, security, comfort, redemption, and abundance.

    We may go through some real challenges. We may have to tighten our belts and make some sacrifices. These struggles are not easy, but with Jesus we have hope and a powerful peace. Our job may be gone and the economy may be falling apart, but God has not changed. Step back from the hardship and see your life from God’s perspective. It is because of his mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed.

    Today, dig into the areas where you struggle or have experienced some recent hardship. What is the fear at the bottom of the issue? Infuse Jesus’ teachings into your fear, let Him bring healing and comfort to your pain. Then re-evaluate your struggle through these new lenses. Remember, great and abundant is His stability and faithfulness in all things. Life is your decision, so choose well.

    Prayer
    My Father and Lord, This economy and my finances have left me feeling angry and fearful. Help me to regroup … to remember that You are here, that You love me and my family, and that You have a plan. Help me remember that this economy and my recent loss have not taken You by surprise … and that You have already made a way for me. Thank You that Your compassion never fails and that Your stability and faithfulness are abundant. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who provides my stability, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

    The Truth
    It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
    Lamentations 3:22-23

    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
    John 10:10
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