Has the end of summer given way to an onslaught of craziness? Here are four things that can keep you from pulling your hair out in every season!
Step 1: Rejoice (Ecc. 3:12a). Praise the Lord. Thank Him for all that He’s given you (salvation, eternal life, peace, and even kids/co-workers/family members who sometimes make you crazy). As you purposely focus on God, rejoicing will supernaturally enable you to rise above your pathetic pity party and even your worst martyr moments.
Step 2: Do good (Ecc. 3:12b). Love the unlovable (warring siblings and contentious co-workers to name a few). Doing good may also involve correcting and disciplining those under your authority (without losing your cool, your sanity, or your witness, of course). Note to moms: if you do this in the Wal-Mart line with your kiddos, don’t be surprised if you’re mobbed by other moms wanting your autograph.
Step 3: See good (Ecc. 3:13). When your sanity is slipping and you’re ready to quit your job, run away from home, or eat your house down (as in consuming an entire box of Little Debbie’s), see good by purposefully recalling scriptures you’ve memorized like Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6, and James 1:2-4. Have trouble remembering them? Well that’s why sticky notes were invented! Plaster your ‘fridge, make-up mirror, pantry door, home or office desk with the encouraging Word of God to help you to see good when life’s … well … not so good.
Step 4: Fear God (Ecc. 3:14). Your flesh wants you to deal with stress by getting loud and telling someone off, by heading to the mall and running up your credit cards, or by giving up and giving in to depression and hopelessness. But when you fear God, you can resist your flesh by submitting to His sovereignty over your circumstances. When you fear God, you’ll also discover that you have the strength to stand up to your flesh and say, “Stop messing with me because I’m going to walk in the Spirit” (Rom. 8:9-17, Gal. 5:16).
[Excerpt from You Glo Girl! July 2011. ]
Q: What helps you keep your sanity?
Want more? Discover how to be sane and content in every season of life with Laurie’s 10-week study, There is a Season.