Stay Centered
It's important for most people to feel a solid sense of "center." This is the place where they feel peace, restfulness, joy, etc. But, mostly it's where they feel "home."
For me, that means staying in close touch with God. I think about the old paddle with the rubber string and ball attached. If you can get the ball to hit the paddle (always a struggle for me,) then the ball can happily bounce in a number of directions. Every time it returns to the paddle, it bounds off again. If you ever miss the paddle, the ball loses its direction and momentum.
That's me. When I don't "bounce off" God, I tend to lose my direction and momentum. Oh, I seem to be doing all the things I've done before, but there's a feeling of unease or stress now. I don't always notice I'm not centered, but eventually, I feel like a crazy bouncy ball flailing in space, trying to find my home again.
Did God move? No. He's consistent. Always there. It was me. I forgot (again!) how important it is to make contact with my Heavenly Father every day.
So, what are some things I can do to stay centered? I don't do this list all the time, so don't think I'm SuperChristian or something. But, if I am consistent in what works for me, what makes me feel "at home in Christ," then I always feel at home. When things get out-of-control, I think through what I've changed or if I need more, and make the adjustments.
Top Ten Things I Can Do to Stay Centered in my Relationship with my Heavenly Father:
1. Go to church every week. I see people at my church who don't interact much with other members. I've also noticed that they come inconsistently. I wonder if those two things are connected. (Hebrews 10:25 - Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.)
2. Go to at least one Bible study every week. I like to change this up, because I'm easily bored. I don't think I could go to the exact same style of study every single week for a whole year. I like variety, but I do try to get to one every week. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.)
3. Read a portion of the Bible (intentionally) every day. This one is so simple, and yet so easy to neglect. You can't just skim it, but you need to choose one chapter, section, or verse. Think about it throughout the day. (Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.)
4. Pray, pray, pray. This is one of the best lifelines you'll ever have. The combination of reading your Bible and praying is like building the rubber string between the paddle and the ball. You'll spring back to God better, if the lines of communication are open. When you pray, you are talking to God. When you read His Word, He is communicating to you. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.)
5. Listen. Sometimes we're just too busy to feel peaceful. So, sit down and relax for a bit. Be quiet and still. This will help you reconnect with yourself on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Try some relaxation techniques. They can calm you enough to push out the stressful thoughts that crowd God out of your mind. (Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God.)
6. Surround yourself with Christian mentors or encouragers. I'm not saying you should join a convent or something, but if you know that someone you trust, who has a strong faith, is always available, you have a "lifeline" when times get stressful. I work with some people like this, so I'm very blessed. I can talk to them at lunch, or even pull them out of their rooms during the day, if it's a crisis. They're there for me. I have other friends online who will pray for me and talk to me whenever I need it. It's very helpful! (1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.)
7. Get a good devotion book. If you go to my site, www.faith-filled.com, you'll see a link for devotions on the bottom of some of the pages. You will also see a link to Christian Book Distributors. I do get a little money back, if you click through my site, but that's not why I'm directing you there. CBD has a good selection of devotionals. You should find something that fits you. Whether it's deep theology, a book just for single moms, or a lighter touch, find one that suits you at this moment in time. Read one a day, right away in the morning. When I neglect to do my morning devotions, things go okay (usually.) But, when I do my devotions, I notice that my day starts on such a solid foundation, I can't imagine why I'd ever skip it! If your current devotion book just isn't doing it for you any more, then search for something new. Keep the old one. It may fit you again some day. (Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.)
8. Listen to uplifting music, podcasts, and radio. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the old hymns. "Amazing Grace" and "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" fit the bill. Other times, I want contemporary Christian music that's upbeat. Then, there are those times when music sounds like noise, and I want words. Then, I turn to my podcasts or a Christian radio show like Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living. As I'm driving or correcting papers, I try to have something playing that will build me up. Remember to fill yourself up with the good stuff. (Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.)
9. Exercise. This is one of those things I certainly cannot boast about. I NEED to do it more. When you exercise, you are supporting the temple of God - your body. God blesses you by giving you plenty of benefits. Your body works better, you fight off disease, stress is diminished, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.)
For me, that means staying in close touch with God. I think about the old paddle with the rubber string and ball attached. If you can get the ball to hit the paddle (always a struggle for me,) then the ball can happily bounce in a number of directions. Every time it returns to the paddle, it bounds off again. If you ever miss the paddle, the ball loses its direction and momentum.
That's me. When I don't "bounce off" God, I tend to lose my direction and momentum. Oh, I seem to be doing all the things I've done before, but there's a feeling of unease or stress now. I don't always notice I'm not centered, but eventually, I feel like a crazy bouncy ball flailing in space, trying to find my home again.
Did God move? No. He's consistent. Always there. It was me. I forgot (again!) how important it is to make contact with my Heavenly Father every day.
So, what are some things I can do to stay centered? I don't do this list all the time, so don't think I'm SuperChristian or something. But, if I am consistent in what works for me, what makes me feel "at home in Christ," then I always feel at home. When things get out-of-control, I think through what I've changed or if I need more, and make the adjustments.
Top Ten Things I Can Do to Stay Centered in my Relationship with my Heavenly Father:
1. Go to church every week. I see people at my church who don't interact much with other members. I've also noticed that they come inconsistently. I wonder if those two things are connected. (Hebrews 10:25 - Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.)
2. Go to at least one Bible study every week. I like to change this up, because I'm easily bored. I don't think I could go to the exact same style of study every single week for a whole year. I like variety, but I do try to get to one every week. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.)
3. Read a portion of the Bible (intentionally) every day. This one is so simple, and yet so easy to neglect. You can't just skim it, but you need to choose one chapter, section, or verse. Think about it throughout the day. (Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.)
4. Pray, pray, pray. This is one of the best lifelines you'll ever have. The combination of reading your Bible and praying is like building the rubber string between the paddle and the ball. You'll spring back to God better, if the lines of communication are open. When you pray, you are talking to God. When you read His Word, He is communicating to you. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.)
5. Listen. Sometimes we're just too busy to feel peaceful. So, sit down and relax for a bit. Be quiet and still. This will help you reconnect with yourself on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Try some relaxation techniques. They can calm you enough to push out the stressful thoughts that crowd God out of your mind. (Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God.)
6. Surround yourself with Christian mentors or encouragers. I'm not saying you should join a convent or something, but if you know that someone you trust, who has a strong faith, is always available, you have a "lifeline" when times get stressful. I work with some people like this, so I'm very blessed. I can talk to them at lunch, or even pull them out of their rooms during the day, if it's a crisis. They're there for me. I have other friends online who will pray for me and talk to me whenever I need it. It's very helpful! (1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.)
7. Get a good devotion book. If you go to my site, www.faith-filled.com, you'll see a link for devotions on the bottom of some of the pages. You will also see a link to Christian Book Distributors. I do get a little money back, if you click through my site, but that's not why I'm directing you there. CBD has a good selection of devotionals. You should find something that fits you. Whether it's deep theology, a book just for single moms, or a lighter touch, find one that suits you at this moment in time. Read one a day, right away in the morning. When I neglect to do my morning devotions, things go okay (usually.) But, when I do my devotions, I notice that my day starts on such a solid foundation, I can't imagine why I'd ever skip it! If your current devotion book just isn't doing it for you any more, then search for something new. Keep the old one. It may fit you again some day. (Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.)
8. Listen to uplifting music, podcasts, and radio. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the old hymns. "Amazing Grace" and "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" fit the bill. Other times, I want contemporary Christian music that's upbeat. Then, there are those times when music sounds like noise, and I want words. Then, I turn to my podcasts or a Christian radio show like Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living. As I'm driving or correcting papers, I try to have something playing that will build me up. Remember to fill yourself up with the good stuff. (Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.)
9. Exercise. This is one of those things I certainly cannot boast about. I NEED to do it more. When you exercise, you are supporting the temple of God - your body. God blesses you by giving you plenty of benefits. Your body works better, you fight off disease, stress is diminished, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.)
10. Take the focus off yourself. After talking about all these things you can do for yourself, think about what you can do for others. Serve God by serving those around you. When we focus on helping other people, we remember that we are not the center of the universe. Our problems don't seem so big. We feel good when we make others feel better. (Matthew 25:37 - 39 -
I like your 10 things to do. They seem so simple and yet are so important to maintaining a proper relationship with Jesus as well as others. Thanks for sharing.
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