The “Busyness” Trap: Finding Balance Between Work and Rest

Last month I was asked to speak at a women’s evening event about a verse in the Bible God used at a difficult time in my life. I shared Jesus’ words, “Father…I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work YOU gave ME to do.” ( John 17:4 emphasis mine).

I shared that after my third child was born, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. I was devastated; positive I was preparing to die. I obeyed God by stopping everything I was doing (which was extensive) and sought only Him for direction for the remainder of my life.

He allowed three things to happen:

1. I heard a sermon where the pastor said when we take jobs and responsibilities that were not God’s will for our lives we rob someone else of His will for their lives. I never considered this before and was actually convicted of the importance of seeking God’s will concerning my “Yes” when asked to do things.
   
   
2. God also caused me to examine my motives for my “Yes” with Paul’s words to the Galatians, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I was shocked and convicted by the last phrase. I certainly want to always be a servant of Jesus Christ and seek to please Him.
   
   
3. Finally, God showed me that during His life Jesus left many untouched, unseen, and unheard. Yet He was able to say the words in John 17:4 above. He completed the work God intended Him to do on this earth.

After that experience I learned Hodgkin’s Disease was a misdiagnosis and God had used a very difficult experience to teach me a lesson I would never forget.

So, as permanent practice I seek to pray one week before accepting any responsibilities. I only take on responsibilities I believe God has called me to do.

But sometimes when I feel that overwhelming feeling creeping back into my life, I immediately stop and take stock of the situation confronting me.

So, what choices do we have and changes can we make when we feel overwhelmed and swamped?

Here are some suggestions:

1. Assess and Release What Isn’t Yours to Carry: Sit down with a sheet of paper and list every commitment you currently hold. Maybe they are committees, volunteer roles, standing obligations, even the “little” favors that have quietly become weekly expectations. Include your regular family responsibilities. Sometimes we take these for granted but they each require time in our lives not to be overlooked. Then pray over each one and ask, “Lord, did You give me this work, or did I pick it up on my own?”

2. Pray Before Saying “Yes” and encourage others to do likewise. And don’t be afraid to say “No,” explaining that this just doesn’t seem the right time to take on this responsibility, but you appreciate being considered for the task.

3. Create Boundaries: Reen suggested I add an auto response to my email and voicemail. I agreed and wrote the following…

Hi, Thanks for reaching out! Starting Monday, November 2nd, I’m checking and answering email once a day, from 4–5 pm, Monday through Thursday. This gives me more focused time for my work, and more time for family and the people in my life.

If it’s urgent or you need a quick answer, please call me at….

4. Share the Load: Moses was overwhelmed and worn out judging the people from morning until evening. His father-in-law Jethro told him plainly, “What you are doing is not good… You cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:17–18). Moses listened. He then chose capable people to share the work. Are there responsibilities someone could help you do? Ask your spouse, your children, a friend, or a co-worker to take on part of what you’ve been doing. Weekly responsibilities around the house are a great teacher for children especially when you provide a reward for their labor. Though everything may not be done exactly your way, that’s okay. Letting others help is not weakness. It’s wisdom, and it gives them a chance to serve and grow.

5. Guard a Time of Rest: After His disciples returned from a busy season of ministry, Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Rest isn’t a reward we earn after everything is finished. It’s a gift God built into our lives from the very beginning. Choose one day, or even one afternoon, each week that you keep free from obligations. Put it on your calendar like any other appointment and protect it. Use that time to worship, take a walk, enjoy your family, read, or simply be still with the Lord. You’ll return to your work refreshed rather than drained.

All of these are suggestions, but they are also choices. You can make the choice. It’s up to you. They won’t simply happen on their own.

I don’t know about you, but I am a perfectionist and was taught as a child that work came before play. But that is a lie….and a trap! Rest allows us to recover, refresh, and refit for further work. Let’s all work together to find the balance between work and rest and especially find time for relationships.

I can promise you, when you age it won’t be the things you didn’t do you will regret, it will be the people you never spent enough time with and relationships you sacrificed. Let’s make better choices together beginning today!