For the Overworked, Over-stressed, and Over-committed

Last updated on: July 30, 2014 at 3:40 pm by Andrew Schwab

For the Overworked, Over-stressed, and Over-committed 2014-07-30T15:40:07-07:00 Andrew Schwab

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word.”

I agree with Spurgeon wholeheartedly, though not even he could have predicted the difficulty we would have here is the 21st century with actually finding quiet time to connect with our God. For many of us, it seems there are more tasks and responsibilities on our plates than there are hours in the day. We are spread thin, to say the least, aren’t we? And “unplugging” from all of our responsibilities is not easy; bills, career, family, church and household duties keep us so busy that when we do get a few moments to ourselves we want to “check out” and just…relax. It’s a very understandable desire, given our situation.

But what I suggest is that we, the overwhelmed, the overworked, the over-stressed require intentional, solitary, undistracted time with Jesus much more than we just need to check out and relax. Our spiritual survival actually depends on this, lest we face burnout….or worse, a big fall.

The quiet places, our devotion times, our prayer and scripture reading sessions alone, by ourselves are where the great war is won and lost for our stretched-thin souls. Why else is our great enemy so committed to making our private times such a haven for destructive behavior? It is in these places we must build a fortress around ourselves. We need a space and a time that is intentionally reserved and sacred, where all but holy endeavors are unwelcome.

In short, guys, we have to make our quiet times sacred, and our utmost priority.

Nothing less will do. At first it will be difficult, because there are always many things that require our attention. And there will always be a potential distraction.

So, we must approach God by carving out time away from everything and everyone, alone, with walls up to the outside world. It needs to be scheduled, and it needs to become a regimen. We will begin by praying against distraction. With our attention focused, we will ask God to rip everything out of our brains, save His voice. Then, and only then, will we hear Him. Then, and only then, will we sense the presence of The Spirit. This time will be transformational, intentional, nutritional. Stresses crushed. Calm ensues.

We will emerge as men who not only handle stresses of life, but who thrive within them.

Have you been in fellowship with Him lately? We all need to spend time engaged in worship, in prayer, in still, undistracted moments of solitude, listening, conversing with Him, and crying out to Him. He will never leave you hanging if you come to Him undistracted. – p. 36-37, The Tin Soldiers

This is an excerpt from the forthcoming Tin Soldiers Study guide. When combined with The Tin Soldiers book it forms a complete 52-week curriculum for personal study and small groups. Preorder your copy here and get the book and t-shirt at a special price as well.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 2, 2014

Christian Celebrities and Idol Worship: An Excerpt from THE TIN SOLDIERS WORKBOOK

Next Post

August 19, 2014 Cutting the Emotional Cord to the Past: On Addiction, Trauma, and Evil Female Robots.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2015 May 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Faith without works is dead"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Peter Paul James