How many times have you uttered this phrase?
“THERE IS ENOUGH TIME”
Zero times? Once last summer? During a vacation 15 years ago?
No one says this. Even if people think this, they don’t say it because it could get them pummeled. Overwhelmed and stressed people don’t want to hear that ANYONE thinks there is enough time.
But, here’s the thing, if you live with a Creator/Creature worldview, then “there is enough time” is truer than “there isn’t enough time”.
God created us, the world, and is in control of things so,…there is enough time; there is enough time today, there is enough time tomorrow, and, contrary to popular opinion, there is enough time between now and Christmas.
The epidemic of time-confusion creates a mindset problem that constantly reinforces scarcity thoughts that impact our moods. And friends, it is possible to tackle it NOW and increase the quality of your days until Christmas.
Think it out, when do you feel most tempted to live in the false reality of NOT ENOUGH TIME?
My husband says he tends to feel there isn’t enough time when he hasn’t written down the tasks that are flying around in his head. I say that there isn’t enough time when I haven’t done a good job prioritizing all the things I want to do. And all of us probably think there is a time-deficit when we haven’t said “no” enough.
Antidotes:
1. Try saying, “there is enough time” a few times per day. The phrase will challenge your mindset in a good way, hopefully!
2. Right-size your to-do list each day. What is most essential that you get done and what can wait? When we have a giant list, then no matter how much we get done, we still feel we’re failing.
3. Ask for God’s help with your priorities and commitments. If you chronically feel that there isn’t enough time, then you might be doing too much!
For instance, I’m not doing any work on my bigger writing project before Christmas because I want more space for Christmasy chores and celebrations.
So, this Christmas season (and beyond) take a deep breath, slow down, and let’s be radical, truth-tellers about time!
5 Responses
Janice this is refreshing. And I love the way you write. In a few short words you have been able to get me to say to myself, totally true for the times I am spinning around overwhelmed by what I have to do and this imaginary time shortage that seems to create a loop for me. What a quick helpful shift, “there is enough time!” YES. On it, got my list for today, and am putting it out there to ask for help too. Thank you!
Thank you! Great advice!
This is another good way of thinking about slowing down in a world that is moving too fast. (Do more, get more, be more, have more etc) It also addresses how we unwittingly get caught up in constructs that aren’t ‘real’, yet come to hold great influence in our lives.
Amen!
I like to remind myself that Jesus is the Lord of all of my lists and He will help me accomplish His will and accept what doesn’t get done.
Thank you and amen. I have my pencil and paper poised to make a list and check it twice.