To the busy student, working adult, parent, grandparent, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. As we brush through each day packed with our routines and tasks, here are some reminders to help us FIND OUR BALANCE.
1. Start Your Day Early with the Lord
Working it into a routine to spend a few minutes in the early morning communing with God infuses strength for the day. Our Lord Jesus arose early in the morning to pray and commune with the Father. “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). The Psalmist also got up before dawn to meet God. “I rise before the dawning of the morning and cry for help; I hope in your word” (Psalm 119:147).
Giving thanks for His blessings and seeking His guidance for the day early in the morning helps us set our day right, aligning our thoughts and actions to reflect our reliance on and obedience to Him. This way, we can go through the day with confidence, rejoicing in the Lord always: “rejoice in the Lord always’ (Philippians 4:4) and “be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
2. Take “Blessings” Breaks
We take coffee or tea breaks throughout the day to perk us up. Similarly, taking “Blessings” break throughout the day to quieten our hearts and draw renewed guidance and strength from the Lord helps to calm our nervous, frustrated and irritable selves. Perhaps you could start a personal collection of bible verses as reminders of Christian living, encouragement, and comfort. It wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to write the verse down in a journal or on a post-it note and stick it on your monitor. Or take 2 minutes to jot down what has gone well in the day thus far and say a little thanksgiving prayer. It need not take a lot of time, but these little breaks keep our hearts safe from anxiety, frustration and irritation.
3. Accept Changes to Plan
Life often does not go as we meticulously plan. Disruptions and the need to re-prioritise may bring about inconveniences. On the flip side, this may present new opportunities we may never discover if we remained in our comfort zones. Paul, on his second missionary journey, had to change course: “After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas” (Acts 16: 7-8). This redirection led to new paths and greater mission success. Similarly, when faced with unexpected changes, we should trust in God’s guidance and be open to new directions. Like a small rudder that can turn a huge ship even in strong winds, we too can navigate life’s changes with God’s help. Embracing flexibility and trusting in God’s plan can turn disruptions into great opportunities.
4. Keep Margins Around Your Life
Brinkmanship, the practice of pushing deadlines and commitments to their limits, can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. When every moment of your day is filled to the brim with tasks and responsibilities, any unexpected event can turn into a crisis. Allow yourself some breathing space between tasks and commitments. This not only reduces stress but also gives you the flexibility to handle unexpected events more calmly. Just as the Bible advises us to live wisely and make the most of our time, it also encourages us to find rest and peace in God: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Taking time to organise yourself and prepare for the next day helps in maintaining these margins and ensures you are not constantly rushed or behind.
5. Practise Contentment
A person who is happy because she is vacationing in Bhutan has only a few days to be happy. But a person who has learned to cultivate deep-down contentment will be a consistently joyful person wherever she is. She adopts a grateful attitude for what she has and is free from contesting in a race of ever chasing and coveting what the Joneses have and never arriving. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim 6:6). Contentment allows us to live peaceably and joyfully, appreciating the blessings in our lives without being caught up in the pursuit of material wealth or status. Cultivating contentment leads to a richer, more fulfilling life grounded in gratitude and faith.
6. Live in the now
While we plan for each day, each phase of our life, we need to remember to pause and live for the now. Often, we waste today by worrying about tomorrow or regretting yesterday. And we do the same thing tomorrow. How often have we, on hindsight, come to the realisation that we were spending our energy worrying about matters that quickly came to pass uneventfully. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). By focusing on the present, we can fully appreciate the blessings and opportunities that each day brings. “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Living in the now allows us to experience life more fully and grow in wisdom and gratitude.
In the busyness of life, it’s easy to get swept away by our routines and responsibilities. By starting our day with the Lord, taking “Blessings” breaks, accepting changes with grace, keeping margins around our lives, cultivating contentment and living in the now, we can find balance and peace. These practices not only enhance our well-being but also deepen our relationship with God. Let us strive to incorporate these reminders into our daily lives, trusting that God will guide us through every challenge and blessing.
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