When You Don’t Have Time to Breathe

Our world seems to have become faster and busier than ever. With the advent of the internet, smart phones, social media etc. we have more ways to communicate than ever before. How many times have you said to yourself, “I need 8 days in a week?” I, myself, can’t seem to find the time to do the basic things I really want to do in the time allotted.

Yet, somehow we have lost our ability to communicate with one another. We have seen the memes of people sitting around the Thanksgiving table, and everyone is on their phone or iPad. While we chuckle at that, the reality is that it is often true for a lot of us. We move at the speed of light today with all sorts of responsibilities – dance for the kids, sports, church, work, career, etc. We sometimes don’t stop to take stock of what we are doing, the people we love, precious moments, time with God, etc.

The world has sold us on the idea that to be happy we have to have the biggest house, the newest car, the latest electronic device, the great career, etc. We have men and women working key to key with kids left at home or in daycare being raised by people that don’t always have their best interests at heart.

No one eats dinner at the table anymore. This is where I go to share with parents and siblings about my day, what is going on in my life, questions that I need answered, instruction to be had in a safe space so that I can grow both personally and spiritually.

We have forgotten the true important things in life or have forgotten how to prioritize them. Our priorities should always be: God, family, work, etc. Let me share some areas that might help put this in perspective:

1. Before you do anything in the morning, have a private quiet time with God. As Scripture says, ”Be still and know that I am God.” That means no phone, books, articles, distractions, conversations, etc. It doesn’t have to be a long time. Take 10 minutes to begin. Begin with prayer – thankful for who He is and what He gives every day. Pray for wisdom for the day and week. Take your petitions before God – worries, concerns, family, etc. Finally, pray for lost friends and relatives.
2. Bible reading. If you don’t know where to start, get a devotional book. I started with Proverbs as there are 31 chapters (one for each day of the month), and it helps form a good habit. This is how God speaks to us. Without it, we can’t learn the mind and mystery of God.
3. Limit social media to one time in a day. Now, I am meddling. Seriously, add up the time you spend on social media in one day. It might surprise you at the amount of time you spend. If we use this time to actively be more organized, helpful, productive, etc., how much more fulfilling will it be? I know social media gives all of us the feeling of an equal space of importance. However, so much of it is negative and not really that important.
4. Take time to talk as a family at least once a day. A lot of people my age talked at the dinner table growing up and shared about things going on in their lives. I know with all that is going on in your daily lives, this can be difficult. However, take the time to do this at least once a week. We never want to be that parent, person, etc. that was the last to find out about a problem or need that we could have met. The saying goes, “people always make time for things important to them.”
5. Work reasonably. Am I working 12 hours a day because I have to or because I have to pay for all this stuff that no one will remember when I am gone? Is it really necessary for both of us to work 80 hours a week and never see our family? I do know there are always extenuating circumstances, but is it necessary or are we just trying to keep up with a lifestyle? One thing I have found as I have gotten older is that the older I get the less material stuff matters. Sure, everyone likes nice things but at what cost? My time with God and family are more important than any material thing I might acquire.
6. Spend at least half an hour with your significant other a day. Talk, take a walk, get a meal, etc. Most importantly, listen to each other. Don’t be that person that it is “all about you.”
7. Breathe. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Let’s be honest. We all get overwhelmed at times. Take time out for yourself and just find a place to breathe and say a quick prayer. God is not surprised by what is going on in our lives. We have to remember who is in control. Breathe, prioritize, and then take care of the things that need the most attention first. Find a close friend of the same sex that can be an accountability partner. This person should be able to be honest with you and hold you accountable in areas of your life, especially spiritual.

We live in a “fast-track” world. We are told that we have to keep moving and changing, or we will be left behind. However, what priorities do we set for ourselves? I always think of the verse: “What profits a man that he gain the whole world but forfeits his soul” (Mark 8:36). At the end of our lives, will we be judged by how many events we went to, the things we acquired, the job we held? Or will we be remembered for the people we reached, cared for, loved, and needs we met from a Christian perspective?

S. Montgomery