What would you say is the most frustrating part about feeling overwhelmed? Or rather, what is it about having a million things going on that makes us feel overwhelmed? Think of a time when you felt that way (for me, 10 minutes ago. Yes, that memory will do nicely).
Were you feeling perhaps ineffective at everything? Was frustration mounting because for some reason you were feeling unproductive? Amazing how our feeling that way in a given situation can drive us to insanity some times, or even worse make us feel like we are chasing our tails and never catching up.
The answer to our feeling this way is found in 2 Peter 1:8, or at least the part we can relate to is. Read a little bit before that for the answer to how we can avoid feeling that way.
Were you feeling perhaps ineffective at everything? Was frustration mounting because for some reason you were feeling unproductive? Amazing how our feeling that way in a given situation can drive us to insanity some times, or even worse make us feel like we are chasing our tails and never catching up.
The answer to our feeling this way is found in 2 Peter 1:8, or at least the part we can relate to is. Read a little bit before that for the answer to how we can avoid feeling that way.
"For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:5-8
Oh, is that all? Oh, okay. Well, then I got this [insert sarcasm].
It may be tempting to look at that glorious to-do list with a sense of defeat. I know it sounds an awful lot like more than I can handle right now. Adding all that to what I already need to do... sheesh.
But, I have good news, sis: This long list comes after our very great and precious promise.
Back in 1:3, we read this: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life {a.k.a., all that stuff I am about to list in a couple of verses} through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises..."
The promise comes before the to-do list. The order is key. Don't miss it. He promises us that we have everything we need to add to our knowledge, and our goodness, our self-control, etc.; thus, we have everything we need to be effective and productive.
We already have it. Not that we have to work harder, we do not need to be more organized or thinner or a better example or anything like that. None of that stuff gives you what you need to be effective and productive.
His divine power gives you everything you need.
Incidentally, take a quick reminder peek at Galatians 5:22. We typically call that list the "fruits of the Holy Spirit". Or, another way to look at it is how his divine nature manifests itself in our life. Take a look at that list, note anything in common between these things and the things on our divine to-do list:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Cool huh? Because our His divine nature is in us, we have everything we need and we have everything we need to be effective and productive. Again, it requires that we learn how to use what that nature has given us. We have to learn how not to misuse it. We have some learning to do, but we have it. We need not be overwhelmed with what we aren't getting done, we just need to learn to rely on His divine nature and not our own.
Deep breath. His divine nature is in you. You have everything you need, sweet sister.
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