Many people have an obsession with their profession; they live, eat, breathe and sleep work. We call them workaholics. Many highly intelligent and competent men and women are sacrificing their souls at the expense of gaining the world (or hoping to do so). When we fail to keep our focus on the things that are most important our life gets out of balance. God’s design is that we put Him first, our spouse next, then children, then our work and other things. There is peace in keeping the order as God intended but life is stressful when the order gets turned upside down.

Scriptures
Ec 5:19; Mt 11:28-29, 16:26; Mk 6:31; Hb 10:25; Ex 18:17-18; Isa 43:1; Ps 1:1-3

Verse
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Col 3:23-24)

Thought
If your life is out of balance, the first thing you need to do is re-focus. Keeping your mind on God and his irrational love for you brings order back into your flailing world. The Bible says that if you focus on God and his word, you will be like a tree that is planted by a stream. It bears fruit at the right time and its leaves flourish (Ps 1:2-3). If you want to succeed, put God first. Next, you need to unite with the community of faith. Stability comes from worshiping together, encouraging one another, loving one another, and being there for one another. Straying from church, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship allow the drift to happen, and soon life gets out of balance. Do not forget to meet together as Scripture commands (Hb 10:25). Also unite with your family. Dedicate time to strengthening and nourishing your relationship with your spouse, your children, and your family. Then, build in time for rest. Take a break; take a vacation; plan an afternoon to get away from the usual. Taking even a few minutes during the day to relax and give your mind and body a moment of recovery can bring relief to a stressful day. Jesus took time to get away from the crowds, the demands…the needs that were always going to be there (Mt 6:31). You can’t be all things to all people at all times. Without a break, you can quickly burn out. Follow Jesus’ example and build in time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate.

Questions
How often do you miss spending time with your family due to work demands? Is this within your control? Does work keep you from church, Bible study and prayer? Is your focus more on God or on work? How can you tell? Is there more you can do to keep things in order (God, spouse, children, work)? If you are not in control of what your work demands, and things are out of balance, what are some steps you need to take? Do you regularly take a day off to rest and replenish?

Response
Do an inventory of your hours (God, family, work, rest, recreation). Assess your balance. Talk to your spouse, children and friends to get their input. Determine if there are things you can or need to do to improve your focus.

Prayer
Thank you for loving and caring for me. Thank you for my family and for my work. Guide me as I strive to be the best that I can be in every area of my life. Help me to keep my focus on you, Lord. Allow Scripture to light my path. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.