“I’m too busy.” I’ve used this response way too many times. I’ve used it as an excuse, but I have also used it to communicate how I truly feel. The bottom line is, we are all busy. We all have way too much on our plates. Many times, our schedules cause stress, anxiety, and a total lack of peace. It all revolves around one problem.
Boundaries.
We don’t know how to set them. We don’t know how to say no or when it’s okay to say no. We are people pleasers who sometimes lack the self-confidence we need to protect ourselves from being overworked and overran.
When we neglect to set boundaries, we neglect ourselves and fall victim to an overwhelmed spirit. Far too often I have traded peace and rest to make time for something that was being done to please another person. When we become busy we are putting our spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health at stake. We are so busy trying to be all to all and forget about our All in All (anyone else singing this 90’s worship song in your head now?).
We find ourselves too busy to talk to our All in All, Jesus, the One who sets our paths before us and knows what is ahead. We forget to ask Him for wisdom along the way. We are running around in circles trying to do it all, forgetting to set boundaries. We can’t focus on what we NEED, but rather, what we FEEL others NEED from us.
What if we knew what our needs were, set boundaries to meet them, and how to make the time for the needs of others? Our lives would look different, in a good way.
So how does that happen?
Manage the chaos.
We are all in different walks of life. Some of us are in college, some of us have kids, some of us over-worked, and some are all of the above. There are many things in life that we can’t control, but it is important to make wise choices with what we can control. Often times I choose to pile extra things on my plate and I end up overwhelmed and stressed out. I realize there are areas in my life where wiser choices, when it comes to my schedule, would lead to less stress and a greater quality of life. This week, Chase and I have something every single night. Clearly, I need these words more than anyone! Busy is a choice, and how we spend our time is our responsibility.
Set boundaries and be disciplined in them.
What is too much for you? At what point does your spirit become so overwhelmed that your soul becomes completely underwhelmed? My dear friend reminded our small group that we all have different boundary limits. One person may have more capacity to set different boundaries than another. Set your boundaries based on personal pace and your responsibility to hold to them. Work your boundary muscle by training in self-control and self-care. Be slow to speak when saying yes to an assignment that doesn’t have to be yours. Create margin throughout your week for rest. Practice wisdom, set your boundaries, and hold to your boundaries.
Prioritize your purpose and remember the One who sets your path.
This one is all about knowing yourself and what your core values are. This is about asking God for wisdom and trusting Him to give you the wisdom you need to choose well. There have been many days in this new season of life where things did not go according to the plan I had in mind. But, I’m learning that if I surrender my plans to God, He will put me on a better road- the purposeful road. Trust the One who sets your path before you and prioritizes your purpose. It will be much easier to know where your boundaries should lie.
There is a better life, and it’s not the busy life. Where can you set boundaries in your life? What can you do today to create more margin and make room for what God has in store for you?
Millie says
Yes, Sunnie! Another great read! Thank you for the reminders- Creating margin to make room for what God has in store. Love your heart! Millie
Sunnie Cotton says
Love you, Millie! I enjoying my margin on this Saturday, I need to create more of it!
Roxanne Watts says
It can be called ” Mary living in a Martha world”. From the Gospels…Mary was happy to sit at the feet of Jesus while Martha thought more importance of preparing. In the Scriptures Mary got the greater blessing!!!