In the midst of a major hurricane, human suffering and a fun family trip to Wisconsin, my focus became skewed. Some distractions were greatly enjoyed and restfully needed. Others tempted me to take responsibility for fixing.
Getting out of my lane of responsibility disturbed my sleep, stole my focus and threatened an otherwise hopeful attitude with negative thoughts. Those negative thoughts generated fighting and fleeing endorphins to all my organs. If I stayed in this place of fight and flight, my physical health would deteriorate over time.
So, after about a week of this nonsense, I identified the problem. With God’s help, I surrendered troubling thoughts and situations to Him. I chose to get back in my lane of responsibilities with hopeful thoughts, words and actions. My organs are again being bathed in happy, healing endorphins.
“How do you know what lane to be in?” you ask. I spend time with God. He highlights the gifts He’s placed in me and points me to the lane where I’m to use them. I rest with Him and allow myself to hear His kind words for me.
He challenges me with His truth concerning what we will accomplish together by working in the right lane and on the right stuff. I focus on Him and the lying, destructive thoughts are replaced with positive direction and strategy. Sleep is again sweet and inner peace restored.
The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (NLT: Isaiah 58: 11)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (NLT: Romans 12: 1 – 2)