“There’s got to be more to life than this.” I whispered to myself as I tossed the wet towels into the dryer. I was extremely exhausted, depressed and full of anxiety. Thoughts of self-pity begin to fill my mind as I reminisced on how I was completely devoted to caring for others. Meanwhile, my own life had become nothing more than a joyless routine full of mundane tasks.
My relationship with God was no longer a top priority, as the cares of this world (bills, stress, school, social media, etc.) took over. My prayer life was bombarded with distractions, and I could barely study the Bible. I dared not reveal the dark, bitter contents of my heart. Although I continued to call myself an encourager and put on a smile in front of others, joy had made a full exit from my life.
I grabbed my coffee mug and quickly headed for the couch. I relished the idea of having a few minutes to myself so I could check my social media. Unfortunately, I tripped and spilled the coffee on my freshly washed floors. “Oooh, why me, God? I hate my life!” I screamed. Tears filled my eyes and ran down my face as I scrubbed the floor. I had reached my breaking point, and I knew I could no longer go on like this. I needed the Lord now more than ever.
Somehow, I feel like spilling the coffee was exactly what God intended to happen. He knew that I was being drawn away from Him and being pulled toward the world. It was only a matter of time before my life would take a turn for the worst. Therefore, I needed to repent and get back on track IMMEDIATELY.
Maybe you are feeling exhausted and ready to call it quits, too. Life is overwhelming, and you’re at the end of your rope. Well, I can reassure you that if you are reading this, God is not done with you yet. He really loves you and wants to restore a whole relationship with you.
If you’re ready to throw in the towel, it's time to hit the reset button. Here are four steps to get back on track:
Start with Repentance. I was heavily weighed down with sin; therefore, I found myself depressed and/or full of anxiety on a regular basis. I had become consumed with the cares of this world (bills, stress, relationships, social media, etc), and my relationship with the Lord was no longer my top priority. I noticed that I started acting like those I was spending my time with. My conversation was no longer “seasoned with grace,”. Lack of repentance leads to a lukewarm life and eventually Hell. Repent by asking the Lord to forgive you for your sins. Recommit your life to Him so that you can back on track. Simply saying, “Lord, save me. Please forgive me!” is a start. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelations 3:15-16, KJV
Strengthen Your Prayer Life. Before I reset my life, my prayer life was almost nonexistent. Prayers were short and sweet. I was no longer journaling my prayers or talking to God on a consistent basis. And if I actually tried to pray, my mind would wonder. I can honestly admit that I was more interested in checking “I prayed” off the list of things to do. God desires our devotion. No only does He want you to talk to Him, He wants you to sit still long enough to listen to Him. If you are overly consumed with the cares of this world, it’s time to devote more time to prayer. You’ll find that you are less stressed when you talk to the Father. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6, KJV
Get Back in the Bible. When we stop studying God’s Word, we open ourselves up to compromise. It was easier for me to open myself up to the voice of the enemy and my flesh when I became slack in studying the Word. Oh, how quickly the ability to make the correct decisions escape us when we walk contrary to God’s standards. Pray and ask the Father for guidance and understanding. Choose a specific passage or topic to study. Read the passage multiple times to gain a deeper understanding. Take notes and highlight points or themes. Use study tools such as concordances, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries to aid understanding. Apply the principles learned to your daily life. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105, KJV
Connect with Other Christians. Relationships are essential, but if you are not cautious, the enemy of your soul will deceive you. Either He will lead you into relationships with unbelievers, or he will tell you to isolate yourself. Entertaining unbelievers will lead to unequally yoked relationships. Self-isolation causes you to develop depression, sickness and bitterness. By spending time with other believers, you are given the opportunity to fellowship and encourage each other. You can join small groups, attend retreats, and participate in other activities inside and outside of the actual church building. By sharing your faith and experiences with others, you can deepen your relationship with God. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbeliever: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14, KJV
Your relationship with God is the most important relationship you will ever have. By following these simple steps, you can start living a life that give God the glory.
Prayer: Lord, rid me of anything or anyone that is not like you.