An Overloaded Life

An Overloaded Life

Glynnis Whitwer

We crammed suitcases, backpacks, and tote bags on a luggage cart and raced to the ticket counter, desperately trying to keep our three little boys in forward motion and the bags from slipping. My husband was pushing, and I was pulling, both of us trying to balance the overloaded cart. We were managing it all until we approached the elevator.

Seven-year-old Joshua ran ahead and held open the door with his body. But as we traversed the curb, bags started to fall. In the mayhem, we ran over three-year-old Robbie’s foot. Robbie screamed, my husband yelled for help, and an alarm blared in the elevator because of the open door, causing Josh to cry. Within seconds, we were in a total meltdown. Somehow, we made it to our flight, but regrets hung heavy.

I wish that morning were an exception. Sadly, during that season of life, I always tried to finish one last task before leaving the house, fit one more errand into a busy afternoon, or take on one more thing than I could handle.

The problem? I had an overloaded life.

My responsibilities outweighed my capacity to manage them. Every day was filled with frustration and everyone in my family suffered. I needed God’s help in a big way.

God gave me guidance from the Bible’s book of wisdom: “Know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23). That verse highlighted my problem area; I wasn’t managing my responsibilities well. In fact, I wasn’t even sure what my responsibilities were.

So I decided to begin listing everything on a notepad. I wrote down things I needed to do for home, work, and family. I listed small things, like phone calls, as well as big projects. It took days, and when the list was complete I wanted to burn it—it was that overwhelming.

Instead, I started to edit. After prayerfully seeking God’s will, I crossed out responsibilities I no longer felt called to carry. I delegated things other people could do. I was able to edit some commitments immediately; others needed to be fulfilled before I could remove them from my schedule. Eventually, I whittled down my list to a manageable amount.

God has since added two girls to our family through adoption, so now I’m the mother of five. And I still tend to believe I can do more than I actually can. But I’ve realized my overly optimistic outlook can hurt me and my loved ones if I don’t balance it with wisdom and careful consideration of the realities of my life.

I’ve learned the hard way that an overloaded life leads to meltdowns. But a well-managed life leads to balance and peace.

Dear Lord, You know how crazy and out of control my life can be. But You’ve called me to a well-managed life. Help me manage better what I can control, and release what I can’t. I need Your wisdom and discernment today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REMEMBER

An overloaded life will always lead to chaos, but a well-managed life leads to peace.

REFLECT

Overcommitment is often a sign of an unmet longing in our hearts. What hunger in your heart leads you to take on more than you should?

RESPOND

Write down everything you need to do over the next week or month. What changes can you make so you have more balance and peace?

POWER VERSES

Luke 12:42–43; Proverbs 31:15