I am sure you have heard of the importance of creating and using green space. This week I read a report from a neuropsychologist recommending a client make use of green space to help relieve some of her stress. What she was suggesting was that the client find some place "green" to get away from the sources of her stress to be able to relax (think woods or park here). Her life was out of balance, too full of the things that were taking from her and not enough of what was giving back.
Over the years, I have worked with a number of individuals whose lives were out of balance. Some issue had become a major drain on their lives. Their personal lives were affected, their marriages, their relationship with their children, their work, and even their faith. They often shared how they had turned to something else to try and re-establish the balance in order to feel better. I remember a young guy who confessed he had been drinking more coffee during the day to keep himself going, and then having to drink more wine at night to be able to calm down. Others turn to food, prescription or illegal drugs, pornography, affairs, or sometimes more extreme measures. The imbalance can lead to depression, stress/anxiety, panic attacks, heart problems, just to name a few of the possible consequences of this type of imbalance in an individual's life.
As I spoke with this young man, it was obviuos how he had gotten there. It was the result of taking on too many additional responsibilities at a time when he was ill-prepared to do so. He had stopped his regular practice of Bible study and prayer. As a result, he was missing out on being able to know what God's will was for him in his situation. My recommendation to him was to create more "God space" in his life.
Paul writes in Phil. 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I don't know who said it first, but it is a profound truth, "No God, no peace. Know God, know peace." Unless we are willing to spend time with God, we cannot know His will and, thus, we cannot know His peace. God cannot work to bring about peace unless we are first willing to create space for Him to work. This is not a one-time deal. Paul says this is in every situation, i.e., work, family, social life, every situation. We need to present all of our lives to Him and be willing to let go of anything that is not a part of His plan for us. This may take time because of commitments we have already made. But, it will be well worth it.
"It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (The Message)."
Over the years, I have worked with a number of individuals whose lives were out of balance. Some issue had become a major drain on their lives. Their personal lives were affected, their marriages, their relationship with their children, their work, and even their faith. They often shared how they had turned to something else to try and re-establish the balance in order to feel better. I remember a young guy who confessed he had been drinking more coffee during the day to keep himself going, and then having to drink more wine at night to be able to calm down. Others turn to food, prescription or illegal drugs, pornography, affairs, or sometimes more extreme measures. The imbalance can lead to depression, stress/anxiety, panic attacks, heart problems, just to name a few of the possible consequences of this type of imbalance in an individual's life.
As I spoke with this young man, it was obviuos how he had gotten there. It was the result of taking on too many additional responsibilities at a time when he was ill-prepared to do so. He had stopped his regular practice of Bible study and prayer. As a result, he was missing out on being able to know what God's will was for him in his situation. My recommendation to him was to create more "God space" in his life.
Paul writes in Phil. 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I don't know who said it first, but it is a profound truth, "No God, no peace. Know God, know peace." Unless we are willing to spend time with God, we cannot know His will and, thus, we cannot know His peace. God cannot work to bring about peace unless we are first willing to create space for Him to work. This is not a one-time deal. Paul says this is in every situation, i.e., work, family, social life, every situation. We need to present all of our lives to Him and be willing to let go of anything that is not a part of His plan for us. This may take time because of commitments we have already made. But, it will be well worth it.
"It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (The Message)."
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