JUNE – What Do I Do When I Feel Like God is Asking Too Much?
I had a conversation recently with a friend of mine. She is one that puts her whole heart into things she believes in. She is consistently thinking of new ways to better herself while confidently expressing gratitude to people who have helped her become such. She is a dash of reality alongside a positive mindset, which is my kind of people! This friend cares deeply and wishes to give more generously. She has flaws as we all do, but that’s beside the point. The other day, she and I were discussing our plans for our future, and what we wanted to accomplish. She said I want to get to the point where I can feel okay with what I am doing for others and for God.
She went on to explain, “I am someone who loves work, I love school, I love passion, I love helping out yet I can’t shake the feeling that God is asking me to do more. I feel like He wants me to change something, but I can’t tell if it is my guilt telling me that, or if it is God. Like, get this, the other day I was asked to pray at church. Immediately, I rolled my eyes, sighed, and felt a huge weight on my shoulders. Next, my parents’ voices ran through my head We always say yes to callings or assignments at church even if we don’t want to because God will bless us. I then thought of all the stresses I had and all the things I was dealing with emotionally. I couldn’t fathom saying the prayer in front of my entire congregation. So guess what I did. I ignored the text. I deleted it and never replied. I decided that if I got to church and was questioned, I would lie, check my phone, and pretend I didn’t get it.
“Do I feel awful? Partially not – which makes me feel worse. So how do I get rid of these feelings? How do I allow God to help me do more if necessary, or do good if asked? Is it okay to say no? If so, why doesn’t it feel like it? These questions were swarming my mind, then I had the thought, God is asking too much of me. My friend’s worried eyes then winced, “Oh, I am terrible, but seriously! What am I supposed to do?”
Confession: I am said “friend” and I only talk to myself most days.
I am going to be thinking on this question for a bit and seeking answers from the big guy upstairs. He never fails to answer me. So when I hear from Him, you’ll be the first to know!
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Answer to Part 1
OCTOBER – Part 2: What Do I Do When I Feel Like God is Asking Too Much?
So remember that time when I thought God was asking too much? HA! I didn’t even know what was coming! In June I thought I was busy! Get this! Now, I am in school, starting a business, serving in church, traveling, healing from PTSD, and still trying to maintain everything I had going on in June!
HOW!? How the HECK am I supposed to manage everything? I need and want to finish my schooling. Starting a business is a total dream! Serving in the church feeds me spiritually and helps me maintain a well-balanced life. I could go on, but you get the point. Everything in my life is necessary!
Last night, My husband and I were talking with some wise friends about becoming better people. Now if you are in a place where you are overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to become MORE or BETTER, please don’t stop reading!! Stick with me! I am not about to tell you that you have to do more. In fact, our wise friends inspired an opposing thought!
Do less so you can be more!
Now anyone successful will tell you to do something similar. We hear all the time “Simplify your life”, “Prioritize what’s important”. But this wasn’t what this do-less-to-be-more phrase meant to me.
What does it mean to “do less”?
Doing less is all about changing a mindset. For example, doing less of being critical of oneself. When you are exhausted and overwhelmed go sit behind closed doors for 5 minutes, scream into a pillow if you must, and then remind yourself that you are AMAZING! Once 5 minutes is over, open the door and get back to doing less – doing less of creating a perfect life. Do less of setting unrealistic expectations for yourself and others. Do less of thinking discouraging thoughts. Do less so you can become more!
This made me realize that doing less is not always about deleting things from life. It is about creating a healthy mindset to help me think clearly, live actively, and feel independently capable. This may include adding in activities, hobbies, practices, and habits that fill the human need for progression but it also may not. Keep in mind, you don’t have to do more to be more.
What does it mean to “be more”?
We can answer this question by asking ourselves, what am I doing currently that is adding value to my future? In June, I thought I was too busy and felt completely overwhelmed, but in fact, I was doing less than I am currently. So, is it possible that what I feel overwhelmed by now will feel like “doing less” in the future? We have to understand that our current efforts are the first step to becoming our future selves. So yes, we may be doing less than our future selves, but this does NOT mean that it is less important, less valuable, or that we are less than. No! Everything we are doing right now is setting us up for potential successes.
This means that if you think that what you are doing is too much, don’t give up! Instead, go scream into a pillow! Scream phrases like, “Why do I have to progress?”, “I know growth is an innate part of being human, but DAGNABBIT! WHY IS THIS SO HARD!!!”, “Why do I have to be so amazing?”, “Why can’t I just be mediocre and sleep all day?”
Spoiler Alert: If you actually do this, one of two things will happen: You’ll laugh because you feel so weird sitting in an empty room, screaming into a pillow OR you’ll cry, because in those 5 minutes you gave God an opportunity to tell you who you really are – You are productive. You are striving. You are strong! You are working hard! You are amazing! You are anything but mediocre! Therefore, God is not asking too much. He is begging you to do less so you can be more!
I LOVE THIS! I often feel like I put so much pressure on myself to be more, but those thoughts of inadequacy actually inhibit me from being more. I love your perspective and insights, I think this will help me to reevaluate and regroup so I can grow each day. 🙂 You are awesome!
Thanks so much, Devynne! I often do the same, so we will be reevaluating together!