Have you ever noticed how easily survival mode kicks in and you drift into auto pilot when schedules get busy in the fall? Slower summer days are gone, and you start to feel hurried and stressed as you try to adapt to new routines. Driving kids back and forth to school. Juggling new job assignments with family, kids’ activities, and sports events.
Overwhelm sets in, and we start to wonder, “Is this the abundant life Jesus was talking about? It feels more like survival.”
This fall my plate feels unusually full as my husband and I start a new ministry, and I juggle a new part-time tutoring job with writing. Last Tuesday I noticed my pulse racing and my muscles tensing in the struggle to get stuff done. After dinner when my husband sat down in the living room with a cup of tea, I ignored my own mantra to “Be present to people in front of you.” And I continued working doggedly at my laptop. Not the kind of wife I want to be.
It’s easy to run out of energy and fall into survival mode, where all we can handle is the minimum to get by. In our work. Around the house. In our relationships with the people we love most.
Even in our relationship with God.
Busy schedules can choke the abundant life right out of our souls, but we have an open invitation from Jesus:
I see three invitations to leave survival behind and step into abundance:
Come to Jesus
No matter what state our heart is in, no matter how grumpy, stressed, or complaining our attitude, we have an open invitation from Jesus to come to Him. Did you notice Jesus only gives one prerequisite? He doesn’t say, “Get yourself together, get with the program and come.” He says, “If anyone thirsts, let Him come.” He waits for anyone who is thirsty, and we can accept that invitation in a myriad of ways:
- Going on a five-minute walk alone to be with our Savior.
- Turning on worship music in the car while we navigate traffic.
- Taking a minute to turn our hearts towards Him in prayer in the middle of a messy day.
Open Your Heart to the Spirit
Not only does Jesus say, “Come and drink, He also gives a promise about the Holy Spirit: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” What if we intentionally open our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit?
Every once in a while, let’s take a moment to pray: “Lord, I need a drink from your Spirit. I open my heart to you. Would you come in and fill me with your love? Bring fresh strength and perspective. Renew my joy and hope today.”
Feed your Faith
The passage doesn’t say this directly, but did you notice that Jesus quotes the Scriptures to encourage His listeners? The hope and encouragement the Scriptures bring can move us out of survival mode and into abundant life. Even mini-bites of truth can feed our faith.
If you’ve left Bible reading behind…
How about trying it again for one week? Starting with a short book like Philippians, take the baby step of sitting down for five minutes each morning to read a few verses of Scripture.
If you’re finding your quiet time dull and dry…
How about changing things up a bit? If you subscribe to my blog, I’ll send you a free resource, 10 Days to More. In just 10 days, you’ll discover more of Jesus and His Word as you read your way through John 1-3, trying a different devotional Bible study technique each day. These short studies will help you find new ways to feed your faith with the Scripture.
When we’re feeling overloaded and overwhelmed, we don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode.
Even small steps towards Jesus can open the door to renewal. The only requirement is to be thirsty for more of Him. So how about taking a small step to draw near and drink today?
Follow this link to find me on Facebook for daily encouragement.
Linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRa Linkup, Mary Geisen’s #TellHisStory, 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.
Photo credit: Melika
Thank you for the words of wisdom, Betsy. I know the students you teach will be inspired by what you show them this year. I turn to God’s Word for instruction, enlightenment, and inspiration in those moments of overwhelm in writing my next book. I am learning to take the next step forward in faith. I will leave everything else in His more than capable hands. Always a joy for the opportunity to visit your site. May God continue to bless you and yours in the new ministry.
May the Lord bless you too, Horace. That is great news that you are writing another book! May the Lord be glorified in you and your ministry! So exciting. 🙂
It is definitely easy to become too busy and get stuck in survival mode. I love Jesus’ invitation that we can come to him and be refreshed!
Yes! Blessings to you!
I’m right there with you, Betsy. I’m coming to Jesus sulking and all. Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom!
Hey there Kelly! Yes, sometimes we need to show up, sulking and all!
I appreciate your post, Betsy, because I can relate to that sense of survival mode. One point I especially like here is the one about Jesus using Scripture to encourage his listeners. I like that he modeled that for us. To me it showed how important it is to know what God has in mind for us by reading the Bible and getting to know his heart.
Yes, Jeannie, you have so much on your plate. Praying now that God will continually shower you with abundance and joy, strength and provision. And that He’d reveal Himself as you read Scripture! <3
Beautiful reminder, Betsy, that pausing to be with Jesus in the middle of the busiest of days has the power to refresh us.
Yes, it does! I’m needing it again now myself. <3
Betsy,
Wonderful the power of taking a small step and finding God meets us 🙂 Praying God gives you grace in the midst of your busy. Blessings. Psalm 5
Thank you, Dolly. I love that Psalm 5, will have to read it again! Thanks for sharing it.
Great reminders! It’s so easy for me to think that if I don’t have 30 minutes or more to pray it’s not effective. The few minutes here and there can be so beneficial. Thank you for this encouraging word!
Glad if this helped you, Tim. Thanks for reading.