Oh I feel it coming.
Some days, it takes all I have NOT to let loose.
Other days I know I am one annoyance away from a temper tantrum.
I’d like to think it’s because I’m so busy with family obligations, ministry deadlines, end-of-year celebrations, and unavoidable chores.
But nope. That’s not it.
I wish I could say it’s because I’m physically tired, politically exhausted and people drained.
Um… that’s not accurate either.
When I find myself overwhelmed…
When my patience is limited…
When my tolerance is absent…
When I want to unleash…
It’s because I’ve disconnected from my power Source.
Sheesh… when will I learn?
The reality is that this time of year IS my busy season. September – December holds a lot for me and my family.
- It houses all of our birthdays.
- My wedding anniversary is celebrated.
- It’s my busiest speaking season.
- End-of-year and holiday festivities happen.
- Kids are busy with sports and after-school activities.
But so often… when my life gets busy, my time with God slows down.
And when I stop being intentional to connect with Him… I become serious temper-tantrum material.
Bleh.
I can be so nasty.
Anyone but me?
Have you heard the quote that says… “If the Devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy” ?
This is a particularly devious tactic of his.
One of his goals is to stop communication between you and your Heavenly Father. He wants us to get so weighed down by our schedules that we forget to connect with our Maker.
The Enemy wants our calendars to replace our Creator.
And here’s the scary part… It’s effective.
You see, when I find myself running from task… to task… to task… I become cranky. (hard to imagine, I know)
And when I become cranky… I become resentful.
And when I become resentful… I retreat.
And when I retreat… I sit in my muck and feel sorry for myself.
And rather than cry out to God for help and guidance and provision, I become silent and selfish with my time.
It becomes all about me.
But you know what?
That isn’t the kind of person I want to be.
That isn’t the way I want to treat others.
But most importantly, that’s not how I want to treat God.
Busy or not…
Tired or not…
Overwhelmed or not…
I want my relationship with God to thrive.
And relationships thrive only when we pour into them.
Here’s how we do that…
“Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
So what if we did that?
What if when life gets big… schedules get crazy… to-do lists get long… people get annoying… and our calendars get crowded… we decided to press in to God more?
We loved Him with our whole heart.
We loved Him with all that’s in us.
We loved Him with all we’ve got.
You know what that does for us?
It takes our eyes off ourselves and places our focus on Him.
We gain perspective in our circumstances.
Our ability to extend grace is restored.
The peace of Jesus courses through our veins.
And the tendency we have towards melt-downs and temper tantrums lessens as we connect with the only One who can give us what we need to face the day.
Yep…THAT is the kind of person I want to be.
REALITY CHECK: How do you connect with God when life gets busy? Or do you?
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Fantastic! Feel blessed in knowing that God used you to speak challenging but encouraging words to my heart today. 🙂
Christa… love that!
Wow! Great post! Very hard truth and very transparent! Thanks for connecting the dots in your pattern- they seem very familiar… 🙂 thanks for sharing your heart and Praise God that you are growing up in Christ! How long did you stay disconnected? You came running much quicker and heard his voice as he spoke to your tender heart and filled you back up! You are beautiful – inside and out!
Amanda… not sure how long I was disconnected because I was on auto-pilot. But once I became aware of it… I fixed it. I’m not wanting to go down that road again… 🙂
I can so relate with this!! Thank you for the reminder that being busy is a tactic of the enemy!
Jeanelle… the Enemy is out to get us any way he can. Thankfully, greater is He who is IN us, than he who is in the world.
Sister! I hope you aren’t able to read this yet b/c I’m sending it during some very intentional quiet time or screaming prayers! Love you!!!!
Laura… I love me some screamin’ prayers!
So good and so true beautiful Carey! My husband says I’m “addicted” to my quiet time because if I go more than two days without one, I turn into a crazy mess. Thanks for sharing your true heart condition and the truth that makes our hearts well! Love you to pieces, Lee
Lee… THAT is cool! Addicted to your quiet time? Oh girl, let it be FOR ME, too!