Do you ever notice how peace and calm are the first things to go out the window when life takes an unexpected turn? In times of stress, struggle, or change, we know reading God’s Word or praying could help us find our calm in Christ, yet those are the very things we find hardest to do!
When life gets complicated, it’s good to remember the Lord responds to even the simplest steps we make towards Him.
Recently big life changes made it harder for me to have regular quiet time with the Lord.
Last week, I arrived in Austin, Texas, after a month-long packing marathon, a trail of goodbyes, and a 24-hour journey with my husband, daughter, dog, and six suitcases. Severe shoulder pain sent me to the emergency room 36 hours after our arrival. Then our dog got fleas.
Now my shoulder is much better, but I’m still learning the ropes of our new normal. Even going to an American grocery store overwhelms because of all the choices involved in choosing one box of breakfast cereal. So you can imagine how distracted I feel when I sit down to have a quiet time.
I’ve had to simplify my spiritual life, so I can find the peace in Christ that I need. I’m learning even small steps towards God help me receive what He has for me.
Friend, your life has its own set of complications that threaten to push peace right out of your heart. Perhaps you also are trying to learn to walk out a new normal. Maybe you could use a bit of encouragement to simplify your spiritual life and find new calm in Christ?
When the world gets complicated, try these 5 ways to simplify your spiritual life:
1. Let Go of Guilt
When life interrupts our regular spiritual routines, thoughts of “I should be more spiritually mature” creep up on us. Yet God understands how emergency room runs and moving days mess with our spiritual mojo. Let’s leave guilt aside and give ourselves the same grace He so generously extends to us.
2. Open a Small Window for God
A short and simple conversation with God is better than a long prayer time that never happens. Five minutes to read Scripture now is better than waiting for when you might have more time later. Sometimes even turning on a worship song is all you need for God to renew your attitude. When we open a small window for God, He comes in to bring us a bit more peace and light than we had before.
3. Go Back to Simple Truths
When illness, stress, or tragedy strike, it helps to return to simple truths we can get our minds around. These life-giving truths comfort stressed or worried souls:
- God loves me.
- Because of Jesus’ death, my sins are forgiven.
- The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.
- God is my helper and sustainer.
4. Read a Favorite Scripture Passage
A few weeks ago, I shared this on Facebook: “Can I just say there’s no way I can handle a chapter-a-day Bible reading plan right now?” Apparently, many of you felt the same way.
If your mind is zooming into overdrive with worry or stress right now, can I give you permission to let go of that reading plan in favor of something simpler? During troubling times, familiar passages like Psalm 23 or John 15 can calm our minds and hearts so we can hear God speak to us.
5. Pray as You Go
If you’re having trouble focusing on prayer, maybe you’re making it harder than it has to be? You don’t have to sit down for God to hear you. He delights in the simplest sentence lifted up as we get into the car or load the washing machine. He hears the briefest cry for help as we walk into a meeting or hit “submit.”
Friend, if your life has taken an unexpected turn or gotten complicated, I want you to know you’re not alone. May I invite you to join me today in one of these simple practices to find new calm in Christ? Let’s open a small window for God to come in today.
Now it’s your turn: What’s your favorite “go-to” passage when life gets complicated?
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Linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRa Linkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, Lyli Dunbar’s #FaithonFire, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Sound advice and great insights, Betsy. I love all of your tips. I sometimes struggle with #!, but I am learning to make time for God in different ways. Whether it’s focusing on a devotional in my email, some purposeful moments of prayer, or my favorite-when I’m able to set time aside early in the AM to hear from Him. I’m thankful that he is always with me wherever I go. I don’t ever want to take His love for granted. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is always encouraging to read what God has put on your heart to share. I hope you and yours have a fantastic week and God bless.
Thanks so much for your encouragement here, Horace. I know what you mean about struggling with guilt. I do too! Learning to let go, so I can receive the peace Christ has for me, even when I have to look for creative ways to connect with Him!
I sensed God’s peace as I read your post today, Betsy! Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter. Glad you are safely settled here in the U.S. now!
Thank you, Sarah! I hope you have a great week, friend. I appreciate you.
I appreciate your suggestions here, Betsy, especially the first one. God always has grace for us, but sometimes we don’t have it for ourselves – we need to realize His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I’m so glad to hear that your move to Texas has been completed and that your shoulder is better.
Thanks so much, Jeannie. You are right about our struggle to receive grace. MOST of the people who commented on Facebook or via email said that same thing. We tend to want to beat ourselves up over every little thing, don’t we??? Grace to you today, friend.
I love these practical simple tips, Betsy! We tend to complicate our Daily Time with God, but it doesn’t need to be that way. God says draw near. He didn’t give a list of must-do’s to be checked off so that our God time for the day is complete. Thanks for sharing this, and so glad to hear you’re getting settled in the US. Many blessings to you!
Blessings back at you, Kelly! Yes, even simple steps can be powerful, but I usually strive in my own strength to complicate things! I’m learning.
I agree, peace is often the first thing to go when life gets complicated! These tips are great- keeping it simple and doing what we can is definitely the way to go rather than worrying about what we can’t do. One thing that I accidentally discovered helps me when life is complicated is listening to children’s worship songs! They draw my mind away from the complicated circumstances and onto God, reminding me of truths that are simple, but profound when we really take hold of them.
Hope all continues to go well as you settle in!
Thanks, Lesley. Children’s worship songs! I love that. Yes to letting go about what we cannot do.
Such an encouragement, Betsy. Thank you! I’m glad you’re back in the states safely. I’ve heard from international friends that using a grocery store’s app to preselect a shopping list can make it less overwhelming and stressful in the store while you get used to all the options (since you just “match” the item on the shelf to what you’ve picked out and can see an image of on your phone.) Hope your shoulder continues to get better and praying for you through the transition- Praise the Lord His peace and calm can flood in through the tiny cracks. : )
Yes, He can send His Holy Spirit through even through tiny cracks, can’t He? That is a great idea to use a store App! I feel like I’m living in the Dark Ages sometimes! I need people like you to give me great ideas!
So good to read words from you, Betsy, and I’m a girl who’s lived in America my whole life, and I get overwhelmed in the grocery store, so I can’t imagine how it must be for you.
Blessings to you as you find your new normal and live your way into peace of heart and soul.
Thanks Michele. That makes me feel just a wee bit better to know the grocery store overwhelms you too. I have to go back there in just a little while!(Ever notice how we bring cartloads of food home, and it just doesn’t last? I can imagine with your boys.)
Welcome home! Your shoulder is better, praise God, how are the fleas? Thank you for these reminders time with God doesn’t have to be complicated. I needed to hear that today.
Hah! The fleas are gone! 🙂 I think we tackled the problem before they spread to the carpets or anywhere in the house. I hope you have a great weekend, friend.