Stress fractures have plagued some of the greatest NBA players. Bill Walton and Yao Ming were forced into early retirement because of this problem. A stress fracture begins when the shock and strain of playing the game creates microscopic cracks in the outer layer of bone, usually in the legs or feet. If this goes unnoticed and untreated it can result in serious injury. Culture has a way of overwhelming your time and schedule. You may be running at a frenzied pace and ignore the signs that your life has stress fractures. Many attempt to mask the symptoms and hope they will go away unnoticed; however, left unattended the results can be disastrous. These fractures deplete our spirit, take the life out of us and take us off course. Life is too short to live overwhelmed.

God has a better plan, but sadly, millions of people will never reach their full spiritual potential because they are too busy, too stressed out, too tired, too pre-occupied to follow God. It’s not that they don’t think God is important nor that they intentionally want to defy God, but they are too busy, too weary, and too depleted to pursue their relationship with Him. Each of us must monitor our lives (emotional, physical, relational). 

If you realize you are overwhelmed and need to do “something!” First, you need to unplug. Set aside a time and place every day to meet with God. No devices, just you, your Bible and God. Be still and seek His will. Ask Him to guide you in trimming down activities and commitments so you can devote your time to what is truly important. Get your schedule back on track so you can experience God’s best in your relationships, work life, and spiritual life. 

Don’t trade in the abundant life for a bunch of ok things. There are lots of good things people want you to do, but that doesn’t mean you should be doing most of them. Give yourself to the best things and you can experience the life Jesus promised, a life full of joy, peace and rest.

Scriptures Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT); Matthew 11:28-29 (NRSV); Proverbs 8:11 (NIV); John 10:10 (NRSV); Psalm 46:10 (NRSVUE); Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT); Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Verse Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ep 5:15-17)

Questions – On a scale of 1 – 10, with “1” being I’m ok and “10” being I’m totally overwhelmed. 

1. Do you live with a constant sense of urgency? 
2. Do you struggle making decisions? 
3. Do you have a surplus of information and a shortage of wisdom? 
4. Has your relationship with God become superficial?
5. Do you feel a decreased capacity to love because you are exhausted and depleted?

Add your score from the questions above. If you have 50, you are barely hanging on; if you have 25, you are living half a life! If you are at 5, you are experiencing life’s fullness as God designed.

Prayer – Dear Lord, I want to use my time, talents and energy for the best things, the most important things, the things that honor you. Help me to discern the things that are useful and beneficial and to set aside and refuse to be drawn into time-sucking, energy-draining commitments that aren’t your best for me. Guide me in all my decisions. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.