Rest in the Mess

I was running late on Sunday. I woke up late, and had several things I needed to do before I left for workout and church, including making the bed, straightening up the bedroom, and wow, my office looks like a tornado hit it! The mess everywhere was really stressing me out.

I know....I'll stay home from workout and clean up. I may skip church too, I *must* get this done to relieve the stress in my life. I can't believe I let my office get into this condition. Until I get it all done, I can't really focus on anything else. My brain gets confused and weary just looking into the room.

Lord, please help me find time to get it done so I can get my peace back!

Whoa.

What did I just say?

Wow, the source of my peace went from the Lord, to the condition of rooms in my home. But Lord, how can I rest in You when I feel so guilty about letting everything get to this point?

By changing my focus!

A few months ago, I wrote a post about making time for a Daily Reset (read post here). When we find ourselves tangled up in our minds, we need to shift our focus from lateral to vertical. God is the source of peace in our lives, but we need to go to Him to receive it. Daily. And we need to be thankful!

After my reset, I realized the mess could wait; it was not the most important thing. Peace restored, I went to work out, went to church...determined to live in the moment and thankfully enjoy God's blessings in my life.

As you go through this Thanksgiving season, and things become messy and disorganized, remember to be thankful.

• When you look at a messy room and are weighed down by the sight, be thankful for all the fun and activity that caused the mess as you clean it up.
• When you think about things you forgot to do last week, be thankful for all you did instead. Then just do them...one at a time...until they are done.
• When you are tempted to worry and clutter your mind with all you need to do, be thankful for the day in front of you. Sit with the Lord and get *His* plan for your day, and leave the rest in His hands.

Thankful focus on God - for who He is, for all He's done for us, for His Son Jesus Christ. This is the key to keeping Rest in the Mess.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)