Overwhelmed

“I’m tired. I’m distracted. I’m disappointed in myself. I feel slightly used and more than slightly used up. I’m a little overwhelmed and a lot worn down.” –Lysa TerKeurst

Oh, my best friend and I have had this conversation more times than I can count!!  Have you been in a season where you felt that way? You felt overwhelmed and like life was out of control. Life feels chaotic sometimes. We’ve all been there.  I’m there…right now.

“The one who obeys God’s instruction for today will develop a keen awareness of His direction for tomorrow.” –Lysa

Sometimes the chaos is self induced. I am the kind of person who finds it hard to say that tiny, yet powerful word “no.” I want to serve others and that desire, which is often accompanied by saying yes to everything, sometimes leads to an overwhelmed soul. When I discovered Lysa Terkeurst new book “The Best Yes,” I knew it was a must read.

Over the next several weeks, I want to share my reflections of what I have learned.

“A woman who lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul.” –Lysa

How true those words are! When we fill our plate entirely to full, we begin to stress. Our schedules become way to hectic and suddenly, we feel like we are drowning.

How do we determine what is our “best yes?” One of the first things we must do is give it to Jesus. Whatever it is, pray about it. Seek God’s wisdom. Seek Godly counsel from others. Look for His answer. He will give it to you!

Secondly, ask yourself if the action you take is going to bless you or others. Weigh the pros and cons of the situation. I love the phrase Lysa uses: “so that I might bless whom?”

“Never is a woman so fulfilled as when she chooses to underwhelm her schedule so she can let God overwhelm her soul.” –Lysa

I admit that lately I have been feeling overwhelmed. I live by my to-do list. I love checking off that little box when I get something done.

I have a planner addiction. Everything must be on paper! I can’t do it on my phone or ipad. I just can’t. It all must be on paper. The problem isn’t where I put this list; it’s how much I put on it. Which items on that list are truly my best yes? Which items on your list are truly your best yes?

“The decisions we make dictate the schedules we keep. The schedules we keep determine the lives we live. The lives we live determine how we spend our souls. This isn’t just about finding time. This is about honoring God with the time we have.” -Lysa

Reflect on your schedule and your to do list.  Are you overwhelmed by your schedule?  Do you need saved from that list? Is your to do list taking you away from the One who came to save you?  Share in the comments!