5 Burdens To Leave Behind In The New Year

What changes do you want to make in your life? Are you overwhelmed, overcommitted, or running on empty? Longing to opt out of the rat race… You are in the right place my friend, you do not have to live your life overwhelmed and trying to please everyone. Jesus is the Prince of Peace!  Here are 5 Burdens To Leave Behind In The New Year.

Those adjectives listed above used to be my life.  However, 13 years ago, I rejected a life of busy and started my journey toward Christ-Centered Slow Living.  I had just been diagnosed with my seventh autoimmune disease and knew there had to be a better way of living.   Heading to the Bible, there staring me in the face was the simple life of Christ.  For His way is gentle and lowly.

I hope you will consider joining me on this lovely journey. There is help for women to simplify and reduce overwhelm by experiencing the beauty of Christ-Centered Slow Living.

5 Burdens To Leave Behind In The New Year

Prolonged Guilt

What is your soul carrying that it should not carry? Forgiveness sets us free.  Jesus is quick to forgive, the hard part is forgiving ourselves. Celebrate progress, not perfection. Go to God in prayer, meditate on His beautiful words, and ask Jesus to free you from guilt. Please be gentle with yourself.

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

1 John 1:9 says when we confess our sins, he forgives us and purifies us.1-2 This means we do not need to let shame and guilt control us. Rather, we can embrace forgiveness and our identity and worth in Christ.

Clutter

One of the reasons why we feel overwhelmed in our lives is because things are out of control.  Ultimately God is in control of everything which brings us peace.  However, when our homes are cluttered and out of control we feel burdened. We are called to be good stewards of the things God has given us, organization is key.  If we have so much stuff that we can not properly care for it, then we need to give it away to others.  Our blessings have become a burden.  Generosity to others is an incredibly good feeling!

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Busy

What’s the opposite of busy?  Rest.  We only have to read the second chapter in the Bible to realize that God prioritizes rest for himself and His children. Do you celebrate the Sabbath?   For the record, we may as well acknowledge that the necessity of rest is not a priority in our culture. We need to stop the glorification of busyness and embrace the healing power of simplicity, stillness, and silence.  We meet Jesus in those places…

Take a look at your calendar this week and remove two things.

Matthew 11:28. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rushing

My first step in pursuing Christ-Centered Slow Living, I wish I could say it was spiritual, but it wasn’t. I decided I would never again, RUSH and have kept that promise. It opened up room and space in my life to physically slow down. It allowed me to see the chaos that occurred from that one habit.

It doesn’t matter where you start, just start.

Proverbs 19:2-26  Being excited about something is not enough. You must also know what you are doing. Don’t rush into something, or you might do it wrong.

Expectations Of Others

This one is a double-edged sword.  On the one hand, expectations are good when they are clearly defined.  They can reduce stress.  Especially in the arena of work. On the other hand, the expectations that others have about us and our lives can burden us.  Especially if we are unable (for whatever reason) to meet those expectations.  It comes down to a question of priorities.  Who are you trying to please?  God or Man?  What other people think about you or your choices doesn’t really matter.  It is time to stop letting the expectations of others control you.

2 Corinthians 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

YOUR TURN…

What changes do you need to make in your life?

Peacefully Yours,

Janelle