This past month has been wonderfully busy! In my world, busy beats bored any day of the week. But busy often brings two of its traveling companions to the party that often take the fun out of what caused you to be busy in the first place. I am speaking of those devilish cousins named details and distractions.
Now I like to dot my I's and cross my T's as much as the next person (the next person that does not suffer from OCD), but my recent battle overcoming the myriad of distractions and the irrelevant details of certain circumstances have once again pushed me to the prayer room looking for the kind of wisdom that comes from God.
Here are some thoughts on dealing effectively with counterproductive details and distractions:
1) Decide that your perspective will be governed by what is eternal in nature and not just what is temporary.
If something is important enough to hijack your thoughts write it down and prioritize it based on an eternal perspective of this life. What do I mean by that? When matching socks becomes more important than instilling character in your children by spending time with them...go for what is eternal in reward and let the socks find their own mates.
Now that you have proper perspective on the task or detail... set aside a time in the future (the next day, later that evening) and give yourself a reasonable limit of time to devote solely to that task at the specific level of detail that tried to assert itself before. (For example...Decide that at 9pm you will spend 25 minutes matching only white or dark socks).
Phillipians 3:19 and Colossians 3:2 help us realize that God wants us to be able to focus our thoughts on things that matter- forever...and for eternity and not allow the mundane and necessary tasks of human life on earth to gain higher priority than Himself and His kingdom.
2) Distractions...Dare to let it go....
So I found that distractions are often only relevant when I am pushing the limits of boredom and need to effect some kind of change in posture or environment to keep my mind focused. Sometimes its as simple as saying a verse of scripture out loud. Sometimes its as aggressive and turning off my cell phone and using the word No with my kids. Usually whatever I have to do to rid myself of the distraction involves me first resolving internally that everything will be ok if I dont...(whatever the task or accommodation that tempts me).
Mathew 6:25-34 is my go to scripture for undue worry and concern
3) Rally your supporters and keep them within earshot (phone or walking partner...)
Sometimes my biggest support is an specific song
Sometimes its a note that I write in Dry Erase on my mirror
Sometimes I call my sister or a friend and ask for a particular kind of peptalk to help me overcome the fleeting moments of conflict when I have to let a detail or distraction go unaddressed.
I plan to share more on this subject over the next month. I would love to hear your thoughts, and ideas on overcoming details and distractions. Post a comment !
Blessings and Grace
Stephanie O.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Dealing with Details and Distractions...Part 1
I am mother to three wonderful little people (that aren't so little anymore) and wife to an incredible, loving man! I love gardening,chocolate,almonds, dried apples, homemade fruit leather and fresh baked bread. I am passionate about Jesus, healthy living and kids! My life is busy and blessed. I wouldn't have it any other way!
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Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was timely and God orchestrated. This morning I awakened with the responsibilities of two papers on my mind, both to be done in three days, neither near completion. As soon as my eyes opened, the cares and concerns flooded in. I quickly perused my email and stumbled into your blog. It was definitely not a stumble but more, a divine appointment. Two points leaped from the page: “Sometimes its as simple as saying a verse of scripture out loud” and “Mathew 6:25-34.” I read Mathew in the Message Bible and Amplified Translation:
“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God.” Msg.
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them.” Amplified
I thought for a few moments of birds and God; birds do nothing to care for themselves and He keeps doing everything to care for them. Out loud I read the text. Out loud I declared that I am careless in the care of God. It was liberating and loving. I knew cares and concerns had choked the Word of God, yet it would be those same cares and concerns that would be choked by the Word of God when I said the scripture “out loud.” I was overwhelmed with the love of God. You knew nothing of the present predicament, but God did. That’s all that matters. So, He gave you a particular word for my pressing problem. I am amazed, yet not surprised. I have walked with Him long enough to know that He is full of surprises. However, it still humbles me to know that the Almighty sees me and really is interested in the details of my life. Hagar said it best, “You are the God who sees me.” I concluded my time with God remembering a previous word you uttered in an earlier blog, “this tree cannot ignore my declaration.” I then opened my mouth and began talking to trees, papers and other stuff and situations that needed to hear the Word of God.
Much love and gratitude,
Raquel