Or is it possible that you know the order of importance for all the things required of you, but you just can\u2019t seem to make it all happen as it should?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If this is you, let me just put my truth on the line for you right now by saying, \u201cYou are not alone!\u201d That tiredness you feel, I feel it too; that frustration you feel, I feel it too. That feeling of never being enough, or doing enough, I feel it too! This is when I feel that we should take a break, and focus our minds on things above!<\/p>\n
Honestly, if you and I could sit face to face and talk about our lives together, I bet we might be amazed at how many things we have in common. Emotionally speaking, it is obvious that there is an onslaught of things meant to deter us. Many of which are fully intended to keep us from focusing on things above, and the calling that God has placed on our lives.<\/p>\n
Life Can Be Really Hectic At Times ~<\/h2>\n Many of you would probably completely agree with the fact that life just isn\u2019t easy sometimes. No matter the intentions, or the effort we put in, there are just not enough hours in the day to achieve all that we set out to do. Then add to the mix all the things we \u201cwant to do\u201d in an effort to \u201cenjoy life,\u201d and it becomes a real rat race. Leaving us exhausted, and feeling like it is never-ending, and honestly it wears on our weary souls.<\/p>\n The more that I personally struggle in this area, the more I come to believe in my heart that a lot of you, my readers, are experiencing this difficulty too. If you follow my columns, you\u2019ve seen a recurring theme in regards to this issue, but please bear with me. Remember that someone may be reading my column for the very first time.<\/p>\n I\u2019m diving in deep to seek God\u2019s help for myself, while hoping that I can pass it along to you, and help keep us on track; God\u2019s track that is!<\/p>\n !["Pond]()
Anytime I see a reflection such as this one on the pond, I am reminded that the world should see Jesus living in me\u2026 Guide my path God! ~ Photo courtesy of the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Finding Quiet Time With God is Important ~<\/span><\/h2>\n I have mentioned the importance of finding quiet times many times, but it is worth emphasizing again. These are the times when I can sit and search God\u2019s Word for direction, and find peace for my soul. \u201cAlone time\u201d is of utmost importance for all of us. It\u2019s imperative that we slow down and take time to connect with God intimately if we hope to be who He created us to be. Hopefully, you would agree.<\/p>\n As for me, I feel better when I can communicate with God about the things that weigh on my heart. Sometimes, when I am alone, I envision God as if He is actually sitting right there with me and I speak out loud, and I know He listens. During these times, with all distractions turned off, the stillness ushers in His Presence, and I soak it in and wait. This often becomes some of my most peaceful times!<\/p>\n Other times, you will typically find me with a pen and paper in my hands, as I pour out the thoughts and feelings that I hold deep inside. Words flow easily without much rhyme or reason, and I surprise myself when I look back at the prayers I\u2019ve written. The sheer honesty with which I can communicate with God in this way, simply confirms to me that writing is part of my calling.<\/p>\n I Don\u2019t Always Come Away with the Answers for the Issues I face ~<\/span><\/h2>\n Taking the time to communicate with God, in no way assures me that I will receive immediate answers. I never want to mislead anyone who is searching for truth about faith, so I want to be clear about this! There is no magic prayer that you say, or ritual you follow to get God to give you what you want, in your timing.<\/p>\n God has His own timing for everything, so please don\u2019t forget that! Also, please do not confuse the fact that you didn\u2019t get your answer right away, with the thoughts that God doesn\u2019t hear you or care about you. God loves you, and He hears you.<\/p>\n Waiting on God\u2019s Timing is Part of the Process of Learning to Trust Him ~<\/span><\/h3>\n The Bible tells us this in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cFor my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,\u201d declares the LORD.<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n \u201cAs the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n I remind myself of these verses often, and most certainly in the issues that plague my life for longer than I wish they would. Knowing that God has His reasons, helps me hold onto hope that it\u2019s going to be for my good just as Jeremiah 29:11<\/a> proclaims. A favorite verse, by the way!<\/div>\n <\/div>\n The relief and peace that I feel in my quiet times, does not come from some earth shaking revelation of answers for all of my problems. In all truthfulness, there are no guarantees that the answers you and I seek will come easily, or quickly, for that matter.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n \n******* ** So you may be asking yourself, \u201cSo, what\u2019s the big deal? Why go through the trouble of finding quiet time, or talking to God at all?\u201d<\/p>\n ** My Answer for This is Simple Really\u2026 My Time with God Always Leaves Me Feeling Connected and Hopeful.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n ** *******It\u2019s also quite possible that the peacefulness comes from the feeling of being obedient, and that\u2019s perfectly fine. God wants us to study His Word and communicate with Him, and when I do, I always feel better. Not because I walk away knowing all the answers, but because I walk away knowing I gave all my troubles to the one Who does!<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSet your minds on things above, not on earthly things.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n As we navigate all of the things we must do each day, let\u2019s remember this scripture found in Colossians 3:2 (NIV)<\/a> Every day requires a choice to set our minds on the things of God.<\/p>\n As I seek God\u2019s will and direction for every step forward, I know finding quiet time with Him will always be important. I know I am created \u201cFor Such a Time As This,\u201d and I am determined to focus on all that God has purposed for me to do.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>I am Uniquely Constructed to be right here right now, in this specific place in time, and guess what? You are too!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n !["Beach]()
Order my steps, Lord!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n*********** ** ***********I truly hope that you can take away something that helps you from this post. Together we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. We can be who God wants us to be, and do the things God wants us to do! That\u2019s the desire of my heart, and I sincerely hope that it is yours too!<\/p>\n Check out the last post where I wrote about \u201chaving too much on my plate\u201d<\/a> for more on this subject of busyness versus focus!<\/p>\n If you are a first-time reader, please consider reading some of my previous columns<\/a> and signing up for the Uniquely Constructed newsletter<\/a>. Things I post will then come to your email, and I appreciate your support!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have a few questions for you to think about honestly as you read this post: Do you ever need little reminders to help you prioritize the importance of things in your life? Is your focus where it should be? Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the responsibilities you carry, and struggling to know where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5384,"featured_media":1037,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,5,224,227,95,14],"tags":[221,20,71,177,29,218],"class_list":["post-1034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dreams","category-faith","category-for-such-a-time-as-this","category-gods-timing","category-jesus","category-pupose","tag-be-still","tag-faith","tag-for-such-a-time-as-this","tag-gods-timing","tag-purpose","tag-struggles"],"yoast_head":"\nTake a Break and Set Your Mind on Things Above<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Life just isn't easy sometimes. 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