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Last week we began to explore what we can do when we feel like our worth is tied to the roles we play in life.
At the end of the day, if you find your satisfaction based solely on all the doing you've done, you're probably also overwhelmed and burnt out, because there's only one of you to go around, and way too many things to do.
Yep, even the good things. The enemy is sneaky, and will use the multitude of good things to distract us from the best that God has for us.
Volunteer for the fundraiser? Sure! Bake cookies for the group meeting? Absolutely! Work over to finish that project? No problem! Keep the house sparkly clean while also feeding the family and spending quality time with each family member?
Um, no. Buh-bye sparkly house! I know my priorities.
But it wasn't always that way. I overextended myself as I overidentified with all the roles I juggled. We're no good to anyone if we're exhausted, not exercising self-care, and not being our authentic selves. When we overidentify with the roles we play and that's the only way we think we can find satisfaction, we are often left running on empty.
But what if we let our doing flow from our being by changing our focus to discover and embrace not only our true worth, but also the best that God has planned for us?
Step Two: Discover and Embrace Your True Worth By Shifting Your Focus.
Years ago, when I asked a mentor if the world really needed another mom blog, she reminded me of how God reaches us through stories. Just look at the parables. We learn best through stories because through them we can identify with someone else and their struggles.
As I continue to grow and seek God's best in my life, that little blog grew into a ministry of coaching women who have gotten lost along the way by overidentifying with their roles in life. My focus is no longer on comparison to others, nor on doing all the things, but my personality as an empathic helper can still distract me from my focus. It's a struggle to keep healthy boundaries. I can spread myself so thin doing lots of good things that I can't even see the next step to God's best for my life.
When we focus on how we're created, we can embrace what makes us unique and see our purpose more clearly. We begin to see God's best for our lives and grow in relationship with him. But it's also a time when the distractions we may face can shift from comparison to the things we might even consider to be quite good.
Our Creator knows our minds are a battlefield, but we are given what we need to win the battle. I've embraced the concept of a holy no, so I can say yes to God's best. When the overwhelm kicks in, I know it's time to step back and refocus on God's best.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2.Â
As you continue to explore how you are uniquely created, what seeds of God's best are beginning to break ground? As you shift your focus to the unique way God wants to speak through you, what are some of the distractions you need to be on alert for? Comment below so we can support each other on the battlefield.
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