Has time become the boss of you? Do you feel pulled in too many directions? If so, you are not alone my friend. The hustle of life screams for our time and attention. It leaves little room for silence, stillness and reflection.
We are amid the Lenten journey before celebrating Easter. We are asked to reflect on those behaviors that distract us from relationship with God. What is one behavior that you are willing to stop doing for the next several weeks that would draw you closer to God?
At the beginning of last year I had the opportunity to interview one of the Exorcist in America, Father Vincent Lampert who wrote the book: Exorcism. He mentioned the four ordinary activities of the devil: deceive, divide, divert (our attention from God), discourage. Overdoing it is one of the tactics that diverts our attention from God.
When I was diagnosed with advanced cancer one week prior to my final divorce court date it was a gift stop. An opportunity to slow down and detach from the non-essential things that occupied my time and attention and refocus on what truly matters in life. Since then, I’ve been hijacked back into the hustle and overdoing it many times, yet the Holy Spirit will bump me to remind my mind of what my soul always knows: store up for yourself treasure in heaven, play the infinite game of life not the finite game of life. You do not know the hour or the day God will call you home.
We live in a culture that is hijacked by the hustle. Our identity and worth are often measured by how successful we are at getting everything done on our “to-do” list. We lack discernment when it comes to our time, attention and focus, leading to overwhelm and stress, not to mention the negative emotions that crash our party uninvited. At the sunset of this life perhaps we will wish we did less and gave ourselves permission to be present to God and the people we love as we embrace the gift of the moments that align with what we value most.
We have become desensitized to the presence of God as our brains are addicted to being distracted, we crave the distraction. Who do you think is behind that? It is in the stillness of life that we can recognize the still, small voice of God. Practicing silent prayer quiets the circuits of the brain and opens our minds up to the presence of the Holy Spirit within is. Science has shown that one minute of closing your eyes and focusing on your breath can reboot homeostasis within the body. Homeostasis is a state of balance in the body needed for the body to survive and thrive. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-30 to: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Ask this question: Do I put my doing and accomplishing above my relationship with God? What percentage of my time, attention and focus are on doing rather than being present to God?
Take Action:
Know your opponent desires to distract your attention from God. How do you see this playing out in your daily life? What is distracting you from spending time with God? Remember, stress is the power you give to outside circumstance to define what you believe you are capable of handling successfully. As you intentionally carve out time to connect with God in silent prayer you will notice your ability to remember what is possible begin to expand. Start a habit today that will result in carving out silence with God for prayer: turn off the music in the car, fast from your phone, start and end your days in silent reflection with God. You will know God as you practice stillness. Take 1 minute at the top of each hour to connect with your body in your breath and your soul in silence with God. Breathe in the Holy Spirit…exhale tension and stress in your body.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Mark 13:32-36
Listen to Edge God In Podcast: Launch into God: 6th Thing to Quit with CS Lewis Quit People Pleasing.
Lauren E Miller, M.Ed, MSC, ICF-PCC
As a stress relief expert, award winning author, motivational speaker, HRD trainer, Edge God In podcast host, and certified executive and life coach, Lauren facilitates fun process driven programs with guidance, support and accountability creating positive sustainable behavioral change in business and personal life.
Lauren has worked in youth and adult ministries for over 30 years. Through God’s mercy, grace and strength, she uses her experience simultaneously conquering two of life’s top stressors: cancer and divorce to help others destress and successfully move through challenges.
Happily, remarried and gratefully enjoying life in Colorado with a loving husband, three grown children and two grandchildren, Lauren is often found in the kitchen dancing to her favorite worship music or rolling around on the floor with her two dogs.
Lauren holds a Masters in Adult Education with a Certification in Human Resources Development | Advanced Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Basic & Master Certification | Faculty Shift Leadership Training | Master Sherpa Executive Coach (MSC) and ICF Certification PCC | 2nd degree blackbelt World Tae Kwon Do
Lauren has produced 8 CD’s and five 3 minute/30 day Audio/Visual Personal Excellence/Wellness Programs. She has authored 9 books, 3 of which are Award Winning:
- Hearing His Whisper…with every storm Jesus comes too
- 99 Things You Want To Know Before Stressing Out!
- Stop Letting the World Be the Boss of You! 25 Solutions to Refresh Your Identity in Christ
Edge God In Podcast: http://EdgeGodIn.com
