stress management

When you're constantly doing, rushing from one thing to the next & always on the go, you're putting yourself at risk for burnout. You're likely overstressed, under-rested & potentially even spiritually malnourished!

Here's something I want you to really think about...BUSYNESS ISN'T BIBLICAL!

The Bible values rest, stillness & peaceful living. Even Jesus intentionally withdrew from the hustle & bustle to spend time in prayer, and He encouraged His disciples to do the same.

In Mark 6:30-32, the disciples had just returned from their ministry tour & were excitedly telling Jesus everything they had done and taught. There were so many people coming and going that they didn't even have time to eat!

In verse 31, Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile."

Jesus recognized the importance of stepping away from the demands of everyday life to rest, restore & reconnect with God. If Jesus and His disciples needed time away from the busyness, why do we think we can keep going nonstop without consequences?

The enemy would love nothing more than to keep you so busy, distracted & overwhelmed that you struggle to hear God's voice or recognize His direction for your life.

Think about it. If you're constantly distracted, exhausted & running from one responsibility to the next, how effectively can you show up for the people you love, care for your health or do the Kingdom work God has called you to do?

Sometimes, that distraction looks like an overflowing calendar, endless responsibilities or the constant feeling that you need to be doing MORE.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Being busy has almost become a badge of honor, as though our productivity determines our value. However, just because the world tells us to keep hustling doesn't mean that's how God intended us to live.

Romans 12:2 reminds us: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

I LOVE this Scripture because it's such an important reminder that we aren't called to live according to the world's standards. We're called to be transformed by God, and that includes how we spend our time, where we place our priorities & how we care for ourselves.

Another beautiful example of this is the story of Mary & Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

While Martha was busy with all the preparations that needed to be made, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to what He was teaching. Martha became frustrated that Mary wasn't helping, but Jesus gently reminded her that she was worried and distracted by many things, while Mary had chosen what was better.

Now, this doesn't mean our responsibilities aren't important or that we shouldn't work hard. It means we need to recognize when our busyness is taking priority over our relationship with God.

I know how easy it is to fill every moment of the day with things that need to get done. There's always another email to answer, another responsibility to take care of, another task demanding our attention. However, if we're not intentional about making time for God, those other things can quickly consume our days.

This is why I encourage you to approach your spiritual health with the same intentionality you bring to your physical health.

Just as you carve out time in your day or week to exercise, prepare nutritious meals or prioritize sleep, make time to read your Bible, pray, worship & simply BE with God.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Start your morning with Scripture before reaching for your phone. Take a quiet walk and talk to God. Turn off the television, put away the distractions & spend a few minutes listening instead of constantly doing.

Remember, spending time with God isn't another task to check off your to-do list. It's an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Him, renew your mind & draw on His strength rather than constantly relying on your own.

I also want you to remember that rest isn't laziness. It's an important part of caring for the body God has entrusted to you.

When you're chronically stressed, constantly rushing & not allowing yourself adequate recovery, it can affect your sleep, energy, mood, digestion, hormones & overall well-being. Our physical, mental, emotional & spiritual health are all interconnected, which is exactly why I believe we need to address ALL our Pillars of Health.

So here's my encouragement to you today. Take a look at your schedule and ask yourself whether the way you're spending your time reflects what you say matters most.

Are you making space for God, or are you giving Him whatever time is left over? Are you allowing yourself to rest, or do you feel guilty whenever you're not being productive?

Remember, God doesn't need you to be constantly busy. He wants a relationship with you!

If you're ready to take a more intentional approach to caring for your physical, mental, emotional & spiritual health, I'd love to walk alongside you.

Inside The Weight Loss & Wellness Club, we look at health from a whole-body perspective, recognizing that lasting weight loss & wellness involve so much more than simply eating less and exercising more.

Through step-by-step lessons, practical tools, twice-monthly LIVE Q&A calls & a supportive private Facebook community, I'll help you understand your body, implement healthier habits & address the different Pillars of Health, including stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise & Spiritual Health.

My goal isn't simply to give you more information. It's to help you IMPLEMENT what you learn, make meaningful changes & build a healthier lifestyle that supports you physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually.

Jen Knutson