Life in itself can weigh us down. From getting up for work, trying to get work-out time in, finding time with God, homework with the kids, cooking dinner, night time routines, dropping the kids off here or there, and hope to have time to make it to church. Oh, don’t even think about trying to fit in a date night or attend a special event.
We are all too busy with life. Because, we’re so caught up in making a living, we neglect to live our life with our family and friends.
One year we remember our Pastor giving a New Year’s Eve sermon, and he said something that stuck with us even to this day.
“Purpose to live your life by the Spirit. Let your life and behavior be controlled by the Spirit, as it will lead to a life of simplicity. And in return, you will keep your peace.”
Since that New Year’s Eve sermon, we have contended for peace, by keeping things simple. We had made up in our mind that we would not allow the enemy to steal our peace, in any area of our life.
In an effort to do that, it meant we had to make some changes. We had to adjust our schedule, learn to say no to the good for the sake of the better, and redefine our priorities.
There was a time when we were transitioning from being self-employed to going back into the corporate work environment. And at that time we were moving, the kids were starting a new school, and we had been walking through some health challenges. Someone had asked if we could take on a temporary project, and get paid for it. However, it did not bring us any peace.
Although the extra income would’ve been great; it just didn’t bring any peace. If we would have said yes, we would have prioritized money over our time with our kids during that transition.
As a result, we declined. But God! Yes, God stepped in and supernaturally provided for us the week we moved into our home. There was a couple in our church that blessed us with a $500 American Express Gift card. Look at God! When we refuse to let the enemy distracts our eyes from God’s peace (the kind that surpasses all understanding) no matter what it looks like, we will keep our peace.
We’ve learned over and over, that less is more. By keeping things simple in our minds, our homes, and in our relationships, we are not only able to maintain our peace; we are able to live a joy-filled and productive life!
Galatians 5:25 (AMPC) says: “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]”
If life has you spinning your wheels like a hamster in cage, we encourage you to jump off the wheel and re-evaluate your life. Purpose to make some changes that will help you keep things simple and watch how your peace is restored.
~ Andre and Timberley Gray
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