Inspiration:
I want you to pause, take a deep breath, clear your schedule, and unplug from your gadgets and devices. Set aside the long list of activities you think you should be getting done.
In the Presence of Jesus by Paul Bane and Matt Litton
Scripture:
Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. – Mark 6:38
Challenge: “Mind Your Mind”
We live in a society that glorifies multitasking, and we often find ourselves on the brink of exhaustion trying to keep up with self-imposed stress and unnecessary deadlines. Living in a hurry each day can wear us down mentally and physically. We must learn how to slow down and mind our minds. (Calming My Restless Mind)
Believe it or not, most of us don’t need a vacation or even a week off to truly rest. Instead, we simply need to be intentional about giving our minds some time to rest each day. It is essential to understand that our brains can’t truly multitask. So, when we are interrupted during a meaningful conversation, when our attention is pulled away from an important task by notifications on our phone, or when our focus is pulled into issues beyond our control, our minds become overloaded and strained. You will quickly notice the effects of multitasking: exhaustion, anxiety, burnout, and even depression. Our minds are not designed to be in many places at once and mind many tasks at the same time.
We must “mind our minds” each day and remember to appreciate and be present in what is before us… in our actions. We have all the tools we need inside us to be successful in our day if we will just be fully present in the challenge that is before us at this very moment! As Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Slow down long enough to focus on the goodness of God and the gift of life. We can keep our sanity by taking just a few minutes to be present and mindful throughout the day. When we pause to reflect, pray, or meditate, it brings an inner calmness to life. (The Practice of Christian Meditation and Prayer)
What can you do this week to slow down and appreciate life? How can you be fully present in what life has for you to accomplish now? What would it look like for you to “mind your mind”? Take time to reflect on something you are grateful for each day. Pick a scripture to meditate upon and pray for yourself and others.
Co-writer Matt Litton
