Slow Down
by Cynthia Jennings on July 1, 2020During this pandemic most of us were forced to slow down physically, only going out for essential needs.
But have we really slowed down? Are we just as busy in the house as we were outside of the house? Do we continue to give ourselves excuses as to why we still don’t study and pray as often as we should? What other “things” have we once again put in front of God? As we prepare to venture out again and adapt to the new norm, don’t underestimate the necessity of slowing down.
It’s not just our physical being that needs to slow down but our minds as well.
The following are 6 sighs that will alert you it’s time to slow down:
1. Dreading the day: This comes from the extreme reluctance or fear to face the day.
*Solution: Understanding God’s grace is sufficient to help you face any challenge of the day.
(2 Corinthians 12:9--But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me).
2. Procrastinating: Dread for any reason usually leads to procrastination.
*Solution: Discipline helps break the cycle of procrastination. One of the biggest contributors to discipline is rest. (Hebrews 12:10-11--10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it).
3. Inability to focus: If you don’t put God first in what your day looks like it is easy to lose focus on Him being the one who gives you the strength to get through the day.
*Solution: Commit your thoughts and work to the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3—Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established).
4. Irritability: The slightest word or action induces irritability to rise to a boiling point.
*Solution: When you find yourself getting irritated, allow your first response to be quiet to regather your thoughts. (Proverbs 29:11--A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back).
5. Anxiety: Lack of rest can cause your mind to spiral into the unknowns thus allowing fear, anger, doubt and confusion to creep in.
*Solution: It’s important to step back and reevaluate your life and spend some time on quieting your mind and self-healing.
(Matthew 6:34--Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble).
6. Inability to pray: This happens when you have too much on your plate, lack of rest, misplaced priorities and the I can do it myself syndrome.
*Solution: Push through and pray even when you’re tired. (Matthew 11:28-Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest).
PEARLStoPONDER: God’s purpose for slowing us down is to get our attention so we are able to receive our daily instructions from Him. Have you slowed down to listen?
But have we really slowed down? Are we just as busy in the house as we were outside of the house? Do we continue to give ourselves excuses as to why we still don’t study and pray as often as we should? What other “things” have we once again put in front of God? As we prepare to venture out again and adapt to the new norm, don’t underestimate the necessity of slowing down.
It’s not just our physical being that needs to slow down but our minds as well.
The following are 6 sighs that will alert you it’s time to slow down:
1. Dreading the day: This comes from the extreme reluctance or fear to face the day.
*Solution: Understanding God’s grace is sufficient to help you face any challenge of the day.
(2 Corinthians 12:9--But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me).
2. Procrastinating: Dread for any reason usually leads to procrastination.
*Solution: Discipline helps break the cycle of procrastination. One of the biggest contributors to discipline is rest. (Hebrews 12:10-11--10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it).
3. Inability to focus: If you don’t put God first in what your day looks like it is easy to lose focus on Him being the one who gives you the strength to get through the day.
*Solution: Commit your thoughts and work to the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3—Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established).
4. Irritability: The slightest word or action induces irritability to rise to a boiling point.
*Solution: When you find yourself getting irritated, allow your first response to be quiet to regather your thoughts. (Proverbs 29:11--A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back).
5. Anxiety: Lack of rest can cause your mind to spiral into the unknowns thus allowing fear, anger, doubt and confusion to creep in.
*Solution: It’s important to step back and reevaluate your life and spend some time on quieting your mind and self-healing.
(Matthew 6:34--Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble).
6. Inability to pray: This happens when you have too much on your plate, lack of rest, misplaced priorities and the I can do it myself syndrome.
*Solution: Push through and pray even when you’re tired. (Matthew 11:28-Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest).
PEARLStoPONDER: God’s purpose for slowing us down is to get our attention so we are able to receive our daily instructions from Him. Have you slowed down to listen?
