Chapter 5 - Created for Balance

How balanced is your life? It’s it good to know from Psalms 139:5 that God hems us in, so our life doesn’t have to unravel. An unbalanced life can easily unravel. A balanced life has so much to do with living by priorities. What is important has to be kept in balance. That includes family, work, marriage, your physical body and our relationship with God. Here are some ways to balance each area:

For family balance, find time for fun in your family. Make some special memories and traditions that continue year after year. Summertime is a great time to do just that. Do something fun this week!

For work life, learn to balance your professional life and your personal life. There should be an ending to your work day. Cell phones and email make it easy for us to deal with work issues while we should be spending family time. Draw some lines and make some boundaries that will bring balance to your life.

For your marriage, remember to value and cherish your mate. Visit together regularly. Find time to communicate and connect daily. Make time for just the two of you to enjoy intimacy and romance.

For your physical body, remember that the person who is responsible for taking care of you is YOU! You have to be breathing to help someone else! Don’t allow yourself to be stretched so thin or so become so worn out that when one extra thing gets added to your life if throws you off kilter. So get sleep, eat healthy, exercise, and take time for you.
For your spirit, keep being refilled, so you can live out of the overflow. An empty dry cup doesn’t give life to us, or to anyone else. When I need a recharge, I get out one of my favorite worship CD’s and just worship God through singing, praising and praying. Then I begin to build myself up and stir up the gifts that are inside. You can do the same!

So true- Statement
“I’m not saying we need to say no to everything, but we should say no to those things that aren’t benefiting us or don’t match up to our values or priorities.” (page 87) “Saying no to something that doesn’t match up to your priorities is saying yes to something else that does.” (page 88)

Highlight Scripture
Matt 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…For m yoke is easy and my burden is light (NIV)

Discussion Questions – Homework!

1. On Page 89, Debbie talks about a woman with a wheelbarrow. How did that illustration help you determine the difference between what God requires of us, and what we put on ourselves?
   
2. I heard someone once comment on verse in Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” They said, just not all at once! I know juggling husbands, kids, home life, your own body and your spirit can be overwhelming. How can you approach each season of life with balance? Is there any one thing you noticed that is out of balance that you will change immediately so you can live a more balanced life?
   
3. Of the four table legs Debbie talks about on page 91, which table leg in your life is the strongest? Which one is the weakest?
   
4. We are all guilty of feeling guilty at times. What area of life do you carry the most guilt? How can you begin to rid your life of guilt and live guilt free? (Remember this – there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit!- Romans 8:1)
   
5. As Spirit-filled believers, we have the added bonus of listening to the voice of the Lord, and getting specific direction from Him. This week, after strategizing how to have more balance in your life, ask the Spirit of God to reveal to you areas that need tweeking or adjustment. You are His sheep, and you know His voice! Choose to be obedient!
   

Knit Together Challenge
Because many of you have families and children at home, my challenge to you this week is to have some unexpected family fun. I did that today. I took my 2 daughters who live at home on a day hike near Sun Valley. We left at 10 and were back at 3, but had a delightful time, got some exercise had a picnic, and saw some beautiful scenery. What a great unexpected (and inexpensive) way to spend a day off. So plan something fun, and go for it. It will add value to your life, and make a great memory in the process.

My Prayer for you:
Father, I thank you for helping us live a life of balance. We love that you care for each area of our life. Thank you for helping us become more sensitive to your Spirit so that when we need to adjust in some area, we can be obedient easily and quickly. Thank you for your life that flows within us to bring life to others. Help us keep our priorities in balance, so that we can flourish in life. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!