Reflections on priorities and faith: A journey to restore balance

Do you ever feel like time has imploded and you are stuck on a wheel that keeps turning?

This is currently my life. Life events and their responsibilities have fallen on me and my families’ shoulders. I now face consequences for weak boundaries I had not realized were there. I didn’t step away, and kept hitting my shin over-and-over-on-the-coffee-table.

It all seemed like it would be okay, but—it was not okay.

The first step in understanding what to do when your priorities are out of balance is to recognize that things are “not okay.” Then you can bravely break away and rest. I find when I fully notice an issue, I can start to do something about it. But I also needed a good dose of hope and confidence. So, the first place I went to was my life-navigation tool of scripture.

I scanned through the pages. Hebrews 11 speaks about how one can hope for that which cannot be seen. I knew that even though I wasn’t currently able to see all that would happen with implementing these new boundaries, it was going to be okay.

I also referred to times in the Bible that Jesus took rest. Everyone needs rest. Everyone. Yes, we were dealing with major illness and new responsibilities, but without pockets of rest, I would continue into these major physical, mental, and spiritual barriers. And that, I knew, wasn’t what the Father wanted for me. So, I decided it was time to implement healthy boundaries.

I wasn’t sure how to do this well, but I started with prayer. In that place, I realized that somewhere my priorities had shifted. I wasn’t putting Jesus first. The answer was right in front of my face and I almost missed it! My eyes were opened to see this priority had changed, and the season of life I was in was no excuse for it. If Jesus doesn’t come first, everything falls apart at the seams.

At first it feels overwhelming. It’s easy to ask questions like “How can I invest more time when I have none?” But I found that this time with Jesus is the best investment with the most return, and when I choose a focused relationship with Him, it shifts my heart posture. That shift is key. My focus gets off of my own emotional reflections and the world and is placed within God’s truth; and it is within that space that healthy boundaries are established.

No, I am not perfect, but instead of being stuck in overwhelm, I am moving forward, one step at a time. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take time to reassess priorities and start shifting them into their proper positions. When we pursue a relationship with God with all abandon, it changes everything. It takes grit and grace, but if I can do it, you can too.

Scripture for meditation

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Prompts for reflection and journaling

Research the acronym A.C.T.S. to add to your quiet time. For help you can find it as a free instant download here

Take time this week to read about the triumph of faith in Hebrews 11 and journal what is revealed to you.

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