Too busy? 5 questions to ask yourself
I’m not going to go off on how busy we are. I’m not going to mention the study showing young people almost never unhook from smart phones and technology. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who gets mind-numbingly busy and forgets who he is and what he’s about. Becomes a ‘human doing’ instead of a human being.
So since I’m not going to talk about all that, I’ll just ask myself (and you) a few questions. Hold the mirror up so we can see ourselves clearly for a minute or two…
1. Have I become less kind and patient?
If you think about people you love and admire, they’re kind. They smile. They take time with you. The busier I get, the less patient and kind I am. That’s a sign.
1 Cor. 13:4-7 – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
2. Have I become less forgiving?
When I’m trying to get stuff done, I can make enemies out of anyone or anything that gets in my way. When I’m busy, the anxiety of unmet expectations can grow into anger in a hurry. My heart gets hard. But when I slow down, I forgive quicker, things don’t build up, and I feel refreshed.
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord
3. Am I a good friend right now?
My history and pattern says friends are a luxury. A leisure-time activity. When I’m up to my neck in alligators, it’s not natural for me to think about friends. About reaching out to help others or ask for help for myself. Maybe it’s a ‘check engine light’ when I’m ignoring my friends or see their calls as interruptions.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
4. Am I praying….and how?
When I get busy, I launch into my day without taking time to pray. Really pray. If God comes to mind at all, it’s for a minute or two before I charge out the door. My prayers are rushed. There’s little joy or gratitude.
1 Thes. 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
5. Am I ‘present’?
When I get busy, I emotionally ‘disappear’ to my family. I become detached and absent. Emotionally unavailable. My spirit isn’t present with my body. But when I slow down, my loved ones can “feel me” even when I’m not there physically.
Col. 2:5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Question: Have you gotten busy? Tell us here what you plan to do about it.
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Responses (11)
Did my wife call you? Been failing at this much of this year. Thank God I am discipling a guy and that keeps me in the disciplines, but real time of silence and solitude have not been happening. I miss it.
Yes, your wife did call. She said she loves you with all her heart. She asked me to point you to some verse that says something about loving your wife like Christ loved the church and “gave Himself up for her”. That sounds like giving, not trading. Selflessness. Doormat. That kind of giving. I told her you were up for that. I hope that was o.k.
Great post – really resonated with me! Have found myself in the middle of “busy” too many times to count. Love the observation that we are human beings and not human doings! I needed that. Thanks for these reminders. God bless~
Glad they help. Loved your comment.
Thanks for the wake up call Regi. My patience has really been waning lately. I need to get it in check.
We get so wrapped up in getting stuff done, we forget to live. Glad you’re going to slow it down Joseph
Absolutely convicting.
I’ve been too busy.
Slow down and let God.
Thanks Regi!
You’re welcome Hoo. Glad God nudged you.
All true observations. I find when I get busy, all those are true. I get irritable, short tempered, and find others a bit too demanding of my time. At those times, to get back to a safe-zone (where other people’s lives are not in danger), I have to get my heary rate up wwith a bit of exercise, that helps me breath deeper and better, & releases a bulk of the tension. 🙂
A good suggestion for all of us. A little exercise certainly helps slow me down.
I am five for five on this. I really need to see his. I need to make radical changes in these areas. My family gets the leftovers and attitude. Thanks Regi