Have you ever felt like you have too much to do in so little time? Regardless of whether or not it is true, I tend to feel that way often. The feeling that I can’t get it all done overwhelms me at times so much so that all I do is dwell on it and I end up not getting anything done at all. What I feel in those moments is worry and what I long for is peace. There are many seasons in life when I actually do have a lot to do in a little amount of time. Perhaps I am in one right now which is why I am reflecting on it. But what God is showing me in this season is to loosen my grip on my never-ending to-do list and release my anxieties to Him. In surrendering my worries to Him, I shift my focus from myself to God. What does this look like, you may ask? Well here’s what I am learning so far…
First, I reflect on what it is that I actually have to do, and I figure out which things are a priority. Are there certain things that don’t need to get done right away? Often times I don’t actually have as much to do as I think I do! Inviting God to help you reflect is awesome. Our Father longs to guide us in a solid direction.
Secondly, I make a plan and schedule out my week or my day, sometimes my hour. And in the busiest season, sometimes even my minutes. This may seem stressful. It can be stressful to me too, but it is one step closer to moving forward.
The next thing I do is commit my plan to God. I say, “God, this is what I am going to do today.” If I have time for more, great. If not, that’s fine too. And if at the end of a day, I have completed everything, then I will rest in the knowledge that I have done what I set out to do and to the best of my ability.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34
During each day as I do my work and the anxiety of all I have to do creeps up, I stop, take a deep breath, and again release my day to God. Breath gives an enormous amount of peace. I imagine at times that breathing in oxygen – an absolutely necessary element to life – is actually spiritually breathing in the Spirit – another necessary element to living.
Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7
I am only in the beginning stages of learning what it looks like to surrender my day to God and in turn, surrender my worry. And it’s not easy; it often takes surrendering again and again. But what I have experienced is peace in the midst of a crazy week. In those busy moments when it feels like I am not going to get everything done in time, I ask myself, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) I do my part and I trust that God has my back. He knows where I am at and He sees me.
His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Eph. 4:30
~ Adriana