Three things to do when you are on overload

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Are you deeply enmeshed in your daily duties, rushed and harried, worried about the details of your day, your week, your life?  No time to step back and take a breath – so much to do, too much on your plate?  

Are you on overload?

For Behold, He Who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth – the Lord God of hosts is His name.  Amos 4:13, NKJV

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Here is a simple concept we forget sometimes: 

you don’t have to do everything.

 

You don’t have to save the world.  You don’t have to do it all.  You do not make the mountains or the wind. 

That’s God’s job.

 

 

You have a niche. 

A place where you belong, and that is your ministry. 

But a ministry that spreads itself too thin ceases to be a ministry and quickly become a headache. 

Mothers of young children, you have your ministry. 

Homeschool moms – yours is right in front of you. 

And mothers of teenagers – don’t think that just because they’re older and can clothe and feed themselves that they don’t need you. 

Your husband needs your support and input. 

Maybe you have aging parents that need assistance. 

Other people need you too – keep your eyes open for opportunities to serve.  But be wise about what you choose to do past your main responsibilities/ministries. 

A wise friend once told me something that I’ve never forgotten. 

It was during a time when I felt overloaded with church ministries.  I was frustrated and tired, and working in toddler’s Sunday School class. 

I complained to my friend about the difficulty we were having getting people to work with the class. 

She said,

“I figure if I say yes to everything, that takes an opportunity away from someone else to serve.” 

 

I remember thinking in the back of my mind, “Yes, but what if no one steps up?” 

Sometimes they don’t.  But more often, they do – and sometimes the ministry takes on a different look, or maybe it evolves into something else. 

It isn’t your problem to save everything. 

It is your responsibility to pray.

     The God of Angel-Armies (otherwise known as “The Lord of Hosts”) is in control.

We get to thinking these are our ministries.  They are not.  They are GOD’S.  And He will send in His reinforcements when the need arises.

     1.  Ask God for wisdom with your schedule

Take a good look at what you spend time on and what is being neglected. 

     2.  Weigh your options and let go the things that are keeping you from the most important things 

Sometimes this can be as simple a thing as letting go the laundry in order to sit and play with your child or take a walk with your husband and discuss his concerns of the day. 

     3.  Don’t forget to add time for yourself – it’s as important to your sanity as it is your family (believe me)

Look right in front of you.  Take care of your people.  Love them, love your neighbors, love the checker at Walmart.  Only you can love your people the way they’re supposed to be loved.

     Don’t discredit your (God’s) ministry.  The God of all creation put you where you are for a reason.

And take a moment to think on this verse today, will you?  Take a step back and reflect on the majesty of our great God. 

Who is right in front of you that you can minister to today?  What are some duties that you could possibly let go so that you can focus on your people? 

“For behold, He Who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth – the Lord God of hosts is His name.”  Amos 4:13