There’s always been 24 hours in a day and yet we keep filling up every hour with busyness. We justify it with doing God’s work, providing for our families, or with just plain staying out of trouble. However being too busy sets us up for failure spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and physically. Are you addicted to being busy? Search through the 6 signs to find out:
Sign #1) You aren’t praying like you should.
“Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We all struggle with seasons of prayerlessness—it’s part of growing up in the Lord. Yet when there’s a prolonged period of time without the consistent and focused time of prayer, we are too busy. Lack of communication with God can lead to a lack of relationship with Him. Prayer is our link with God for a time of praise, confession, thankfulness, and petition. If we don’t stop and pray on a regular basis, we may find ourselves in situations where prayer is the only option.
Sign #2) You aren’t reading your Bible with regularity.
“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God’” (Matthew 22:29).
When we are too busy to read our Bible for clarity, understanding, and knowledge—we can find ourselves embraced in faulty thinking and reasoning. Busyness can lead to the same sins as laziness as we can find ourselves weakened in our faith leading to sinful behaviors. Our standards are lowered in the rush of making decisions without godly counsel from the word of God. Taking time in your day to read the Bible will strengthen your faith and help you to make wise decisions with your time.
Sign #3) You aren’t going to church as often as you used to.
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
As busy as some of us are, we’re not too busy to go to work, watch TV, or attend recreational activities. However, we can get too busy for church. Church can be easier to neglect because no one is withholding a check if we don’t show up. Since we are saved by grace and not works, many of us will decide to skip church and assume that God understands. Our attendance at church on a regular basis is a help to our faith as well as the faith of others. Everyone is a necessary part of the body of Christ and the body can’t function to its full potential with limbs, arms, or other parts missing in action.
Sign #4) You aren’t building and growing in your relationships.
“Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:22).
Relationships can grow stale over time through our neglect. Our family and friends will only try for so long to get our attention before they give up. When we finally take the time to slow down, we may find that everyone has moved on without us—we will lack a close connection that is necessary in all great relationships. Busyness robs us of the joy of relationships that only have a season to grow and flourish before the opportunity to connect has evaporated.
Sign #5) You aren’t taking care of yourself emotionally or physically.
“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12).
While we aren’t to worship our bodies as the world does, we are called to take care of ourselves both emotionally and physically. When we are too busy, we make concessions on not eating healthy, not working out, not dealing with unresolved anger or frustrations, or not being in touch with how we really feel about our lives. Busyness isn’t an excuse for emotional or physical negligence. We each will have to give an account of how we handle ourselves in the light of what God has given us both inwardly and outwardly.
Sign #6) You aren’t resting or spending time in meditation.
“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done” (Psalms 143:5).
Busyness leaves no room for waiting on the Lord. The gift of silence and solitude in His presence equips us for our journey through this troublesome life. There needs to be a weekly time of reflection over what God has done so that we can be thankful instead of always asking Him for things. Many times we are deceived to believe that God is pleased with our hustling through this life; however, He calls us to Himself in calmness, peace, and quiet minus the running around with busy work.
Busy with Balance
God has called us to be about His purpose with balance. The Lord has a holistic view of our lives that doesn’t neglect prayer, Bible study, fellowship, family/friendships, emotional/physical health, or meditation. If we have one or more signs of busyness in our lives, it’s time for us to take action in prayer—beginning with repentance and seeking wisdom on slowing down and listening to God’s voice every day.
Article by Crystal McDowell
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.
