How I Began My Journey from Overwhelmed to Rested
I'm not sure of the exact moment I began feel the weight of being overwhelmed lifting – it has been such a gradual process – but I know there are some very definitive milestones that have made a noticeable difference in my emotional state.
The first was when I began to meditate frequently on this quote by Jim Elliot, the missionary who was martyred in the jungles of Ecuador:
“Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
I was struggling to do everything, to be everything, and to do it all for everyone.
Instead I needed to learn to live in the moment.
The key to living in the moment was to be sure what I was doing in that moment was the will of God.
At the end of the day, there may be a lot of good things left undone, but I can mentally release myself from the guilt of unaccomplished tasks knowing that I've put my heart and soul into every circumstance that God had planned for me that day.
And I'm learning to not even live the moments that are not God's will for me.
Although the quote is not from Scripture, God has been using it to direct my mind to Scripture many times throughout the day. If I am truly going to live in the will of God, I must be in tune with his desires for me moment by moment.
It has brought me:
1. An increased awareness of God's presence and direction for even the smallest decisions
2. Better awareness of how I am using my time
The result of both of those has been to find more peace in my home.
Awareness of God's presence gives peace to my soul.
Better time management increases the atmosphere of peace in my home.
The house stays more tidy.
I am more mentally present and in tune to my husband's and children's needs.
I am more aware of my own needs, including simple things like eating enough food at meals.
All of this because of a simple quote, but I believe the Spirit's calling it to my remembrance was a direct answer to prayer in helping me begin my journey to rest.
I hope as you meditate on all of its implications, it will be as much of a help to you as it has been to me.