Are you living an unstainable life? Do you find yourself busier each week, even though you keep telling yourself you will slow down? 

Indeed, we tend to quote what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13  (MEV) I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.

I am not sure about you, but I will speak for myself. Subconsciously, I believe God will equip me with everything I need to carry out what I want to do for him or what I think he is calling me to do. Without asking, is this what you want me to do, Lord?

Let us read this same verse in the Amplified Bible:  

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 

You would think by now we would understand that it is HIS will for our lives, but somehow, we push His will aside and figure we know for ourselves what His will is. We quote the MEV translation without really thinking about it. Or at least I do.

Where is the easy yoke we read about?

Matthew 11:28 -30 MEV “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Same verse AMP

 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

So if we know these verses and know that our value is not in what we do, why do we get tangled up in performance? We are not called doing beings but human beings.

During my quiet time today, the Lord wanted me to stop and pay attention to the questions I was asking Him, Specifically: Am I too busy? I am still doing my will and not your will. Do I still feel that I need to prove myself?

Then word Deliberate started to stir in my heart.

Webster 1828 the word DELIBERATE is described to weigh in the mind; to consider and examine the reasons for and against a measure; to estimate the weight or force of arguments, or the probable consequences of a measure, in order to a choice or decision; to pause and consider. 

The Lord then led me to read Haggai, It talks about rebuilding the house (temple) of the Lord. New Testament believers know that our body is the temple of God.

I have been rebuilding the house of the Lord (His temple, my body) since 2023. And though I have had miraculous improvements, it’s not fully restored. Not yet.

I crossed a finish line (so to speak), only to push myself to sign up for another marathon. 

What about you? Are you signing up for more and more races without giving yourself time to restore your body from participating in the race you just ran?

When family and friends say to us (you) that you’re doing a lot, maybe we (you) should stop and listen. 

Is pride keeping us busy, or is it not knowing our value? What is it that makes us say yes?

Do our thoughts and ideas push us to do more? Even though we may not have started implementing the idea that crossed our minds, it hovers over us, putting pressure on us to carry it out.

Have you ever stuffed a bunch of towels in a washing machine, and shortly after, it sounds like the whole house is coming apart from the noise the lopsided load is making because it is out of balance?

The same thing can happen in our lives. We push and do to the point that throws us into chaos that manifests in our bodies, emotions, and our will (choices).

PEACE can only thrive when we recognize what’s important and pursue it deliberately.

How are you deliberately pursuing PEACE?

What mindsets do you need to change about “doing?”

What habits and priorities must you change to bring more balance into your life?