Busy, busy, busy

Part Three in a Series

 Did you know that 60% – 80% of disease is stress related? An article on the Mayo Clinic website says stress can affect your body in the following ways: headache, back pain, chest pain, heart disease, heart palpations, high blood pressure, decreased immunity, stomach upset and sleep problems. While we need to reduce busy-ness and stress because of the possible impact on our physical health, stress also can affect thoughts and behavior: anxiety, worrying, depression, anger, feeling insecure, forgetfulness, over-or-under eating, social withdrawal and relationship conflicts.

 Feeling achy, irritable and anti-social lately? Do those described behaviors sound like the fruit of the Spirit that should characterize followers of Christ?  

 We know when we burn the candle at both ends we are crankier than when our schedule is more relaxed. If we are known at work as a negative, crabby, grouch (certainly not signs of the fruit of the Spirit) we do not reflect the name of Christ well, despite how often we claim to follow Him. Family life suffers as our loved ones receive the brunt of our stress when we are short tempered and withdrawn.

 Quitting work or living in a monastery is not realistic, at least not for most of us, but what can we do to jump off the spinning treadmill that is hurting our bodies, damaging our witness for Christ and stressing our spirit?

 Prune! Learn to say no to good things, so that your energy can be spent on the best things: your relationship with Christ, your family, your community, your work. Over the next month, take a hard look at each activity you are involved in, and prayerfully ask God where you need to say no. While it may feel selfish in the short run, saying no allows you to focus on the best things: relationships with God and others, and the activities where you can really make a difference for the kingdom.

 So get out those pruning shears and start snipping. As any good gardener knows, if you want mature fruit, you have to do some pruning.

Tags: sunday school, training

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