So consumed

Do you find yourself so consumed with thoughts, feelings, plans and obligations that you just don’t know what to do? Like the expression: “I have so much to do, I don’t know what to do!”

There are many things that vie for our attention. Many things that are worth paying attention to, and many more things that we need to ignore.

Since we are so consumed in this way, how can we know what to focus on, what to ignore and what to do next?

First of all, I recommend that you get rid of all of your distractions in order to sit down and prayerfully sort through all the noise and options in your life. Find a quiet, empty room (maybe at your church or a local library) and bring nothing with you but a blank piece of paper or journal. Write down all of the things that God has given you and what He is teaching you. Then write down what you know you are neglecting, all of the things that seem to be begging for your attention, and finally (after much prayer) write down what you believe God is saying your purpose and goals are for this season of your life.

Second, after you have these things written down, go to your pastor, Sunday school teacher, counselor or a godly friend and share with you them what you are have written down and what you are struggling with. Ask for their input. In particular, ask them to help you discern if anything you have written down is incorrect (in light of Scripture) or if there is any wisdom they can give to you for your journey.

Third, even after you have done this, don’t yet begin working on your list and checking things off of it. Instead take a day, a week or even a month and fast and pray about the things on the list. Then while you are fasting and praying, try to eliminate the noise and the extra voices in your life and instead listen only the God (through the Bible, preaching, teaching etc) and continue to write down the things that you believe God is speaking to you.

Finally, after all of this, then only implement one or two things at a time (unless the Lord Himself directs you otherwise). Work on the new tasks diligently for 4 – 6 weeks and when they begin to become habits in your life, then you can add 1- 2 more things. Remember, the point of this is to discern the will of God for what to do with all of the many choices and voices in your life and then to intentionally develop a plan to work through them one on one until you are only doing what God directs and are not consumed by the fear and the incessant demands and accusations. Your goal is to peacefully, patiently and joyfully take one step of faith at a time to accomplish what God has laid out for you.

May God richly bless you as you seek His will and to live an intentional and disciplined life to His glory and according to His plans and purposes for your life!