Take a Chill Pill!

It can be so easy to get wound up over things and let them consume our thinking. The bible has a bit to say about this. In Matthew 6:34 we read:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own”.

So much of what we allow to consume our thoughts is out of our control and is often exaggerated beyond reality. When you get caught up in this pattern it is crucial to be able to identify what is happening and to get some perspective ASAP. 

It’s really about keeping it SIMPLE. Another word for simple is uncluttered. To keep it simple means to live a life that is uncluttered and not allowing the day to day of life to distract you from what really matters. “Each day has enough trouble of it’s own”. If we could only realise that life will have moments and in these moments we have a choice to make. We either allow these moments to clutter up our lives, to complicate our lives and ultimately distract us or we can let these things go and keep the main thing the main thing.

In Luke 10 we read about Mary and Martha and how they dealt with a moment when Jesus visited their home. Martha’s response was to get busy doing “stuff” whereas Mary was able to keep Jesus central to her focus and thinking. Jesus speaks to Martha and says that she is troubled and anxious about many things, but only one thing is needed and Mary has found this one thing. This one thing was a relationship with Jesus. An uncluttered, simple focus on Jesus.

There is so much in these 2 passages for us. With all that life looks like - with all that life dishes up - with all the things that we engage with and experience - once all is said and done there is just ONE thing that matters. Our relationship with Jesus. 

Jesus spoke to Martha and told her to take a chill pill! Not bad advice. Perhaps right now you need to take a chill pill. Perhaps you need to stop looking at all the reasons why things are not working, stop blaming your family, stop blaming your friends, stop blaming your church and begin to take full responsibility! I am where I am today because of the choices I have made in the past - the choices I make into the future will determine my future. 

Sometimes we need to hear it straight - as difficult as this may be! My experiences tell me that when we blame others or point the finger it is often done so to justify where we are at and to avoid getting honest with ourselves. It is so easy to fall into this trap but I want to encourage you today to begin to de-clutter, remove the distractions, remove the excuses and remember that just one thing is needed! 

As I write this I write it to myself and take on board the challenge. It’s a challenge that will bring maturity and bring about growth in every area of my life.

Josh Brett