Counselor's Corner
Connie
Clark, Ph.D. CCBT
Christian Counseling of McPherson
620-241-3736
Loosen Your Grip on the Hurried Life
As I sit here
writing this month’s Counselor’s Corner, I am out in the country at
Ken’s parent’s home in New Mexico.
The Christmas holiday allowed us to enjoy time with our children,
our parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.
But as I sit alone quietly outside away from the all the talking
and visiting, I begin to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation as I see
the mountains, desert and snow all at once.
It is breathtaking, relaxing and so full of God’s presence! The
view and God’s presence have been here all along.
I have been so busy and hurried that I have not taken the time to
stop and enjoy God all around me.
As I savor
this beauty and quiet time, I think of the people I see in my counseling
practice who have complained to me about their hurried lives and no time
for rest, exercise, devotions or quiet time. Why is it that we are drawn
into a hurried life? Does
it make us feel important? Or
does it help us avoid looking at our heart or life?
This hurried
and busy life is not a new problem.
There were problems of hurried lives during the times of Jesus.
Jesus was aware of this problem, and he constantly withdrew from crowds
and activities. He taught the same to his followers. In one instance,
when they returned from a busy time of ministry, he told them, "Come
away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark
6:31).
How important
it is to loosen our grip on the world’s hectic pace and be still
before God? Very important
I think. Not only for our
mental health, but also important for our spiritual health.
Pray to God you will trust him to enable you to accomplish all
you need to get done. Often people worry that if they don't rush, they
will accomplish less. In fact, researchers have found that there is
simply no correlation between hurry and productivity. So, be still and
know that he is God (Psalms 46:10)
and you will discover you can survive without the hurried life.
In Christ,
Connie Clark, PhD
CounselingChristians.com |