A full mind
This week I have encountered a number of people who were facing the same predicament. On one particular day, five separate people expressed similar thoughts.
The issue was that each person had got to the point where their minds were full, and they were finding it difficult to cope. For most it was a case of a list of responsibilities and menial tasks. For some, the pressure of the jobs caused extra difficulty. I thought back to a time where I felt the same, where the amount or enormity of the things to do becomes too much. This is a product of our modern lives, and we all face it at one point or another. Some have to deal with it almost constantly and it results in health problems. On reflection, we can all relate to such a state of mind where we feel overwhelmed by the pressure of the ‘to do list.’
Interestingly it is not just those who work who face this. Our jobs are obvious places to experience pressure. However, we can feel it at home, on holiday or in retirement. It has been a busy week becomes our standard answer to anyone who asks.
This is not necessarily a bad thing - when the pressure is on, we can produce our best work, we can come alive and discover our capabilities. But what about the lost sleep, the restlessness, the anxiety and fact that life is flashing by without the chance to stop and to just be? What about all the things I wanted to do, and the fact that life can be enjoyed and cherished rather than endured and survived. Do you feel like you are on a treadmill?
What is the solution to this? I believe we are given glimpses of reality at different points in our journey. We often need people around us who understand us well and care for us. They can help to point us towards important truths. Our job is to respond to the glimpses - we ignore them at our peril.
It is worth asking the question, ‘why am I doing this?’ Followed by, ‘what is most important?’ If we are honest, we might realise that our reasons don’t match our priorities. The things we claim to hold dear are replaced by external pressures to conform or selfish ambitions.
Having a faith in God and understanding the processes that go on within us, gives us the chance to change these patterns. I no longer have to meet my own or other people’s expectations. Romans 12:2 says, ‘Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’. This means I am free view things differently. I will still have pressures and at times they can get too much, but I can view them differently and can ensure they don’t become more than they are. I also know I won’t be pushed beyond my limit and that there will be windows along the way that will reveal the truth of each situation.
Now I can relish the challenges - paraphrasing James 1, it tells us to consider it pure joy to face many and different trials and that it will improve our ability to handle life. In other words, it will get the best out of me rather than finishing me.
The issue was that each person had got to the point where their minds were full, and they were finding it difficult to cope. For most it was a case of a list of responsibilities and menial tasks. For some, the pressure of the jobs caused extra difficulty. I thought back to a time where I felt the same, where the amount or enormity of the things to do becomes too much. This is a product of our modern lives, and we all face it at one point or another. Some have to deal with it almost constantly and it results in health problems. On reflection, we can all relate to such a state of mind where we feel overwhelmed by the pressure of the ‘to do list.’
Interestingly it is not just those who work who face this. Our jobs are obvious places to experience pressure. However, we can feel it at home, on holiday or in retirement. It has been a busy week becomes our standard answer to anyone who asks.
This is not necessarily a bad thing - when the pressure is on, we can produce our best work, we can come alive and discover our capabilities. But what about the lost sleep, the restlessness, the anxiety and fact that life is flashing by without the chance to stop and to just be? What about all the things I wanted to do, and the fact that life can be enjoyed and cherished rather than endured and survived. Do you feel like you are on a treadmill?
What is the solution to this? I believe we are given glimpses of reality at different points in our journey. We often need people around us who understand us well and care for us. They can help to point us towards important truths. Our job is to respond to the glimpses - we ignore them at our peril.
It is worth asking the question, ‘why am I doing this?’ Followed by, ‘what is most important?’ If we are honest, we might realise that our reasons don’t match our priorities. The things we claim to hold dear are replaced by external pressures to conform or selfish ambitions.
Having a faith in God and understanding the processes that go on within us, gives us the chance to change these patterns. I no longer have to meet my own or other people’s expectations. Romans 12:2 says, ‘Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’. This means I am free view things differently. I will still have pressures and at times they can get too much, but I can view them differently and can ensure they don’t become more than they are. I also know I won’t be pushed beyond my limit and that there will be windows along the way that will reveal the truth of each situation.
Now I can relish the challenges - paraphrasing James 1, it tells us to consider it pure joy to face many and different trials and that it will improve our ability to handle life. In other words, it will get the best out of me rather than finishing me.
Tim Sparkes
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