Counting My Blessings - At the Intersection of Faith and Life
Menu
Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Deb & CMB
  • Blessing Counters Prayer Page
  • World Vision & Compassion Int.
  • Topical List of Verses and Prayers
  • Privacy Policy

Tag Archives: Live a Balanced Life

Why It’s Important to Find the Balance Between Worship and Service

3 / 18 / 212 / 26 / 21
The account of Mary and Martha shows us the importance of finding our peace and joy in Jesus by balancing both worship and service as we live our lives. #Planning #Peace #Worship #Faith #CountingMyBlessings

Oh, I can relate to Martha…

Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

Luke 10:40

She had a house full of guests and she was BUSY! I can almost see her rushing around trying to make everyone comfortable and happy . . . especially the guest of honor, Jesus.

But serving to make everyone happy is exhausting and truthfully, impossible.

So, it really shouldn’t surprise that Martha had become frustrated with her sister, Mary, who was getting to do what Martha herself wanted to be doing but felt she couldn’t because of her need to please by serving.

I love the way Jesus responded to her. He didn’t scold her . . . He simply said:

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41–42

Are you worried and upset about all the details of your life? Do you feel like you don’t have time to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him and talk with Him?

Hear His gentle reminder today to pause and take a closer look at your life.

Ask Him to help you find the balance between worship and service.

When you and I look at Mary and Martha, it’s not about who was right and who was wrong. It’s about each of them learning the importance of balancing worship and service.

And about being so very content with the balance in our own lives that we’re not even tempted to criticize someone else.

The account of Mary and Martha shows us the importance of finding our peace and joy in Jesus by balancing both worship and service as we live our lives. #Planning #Peace #Worship #Faith #CountingMyBlessings

A Prayer to Balance Worship and Service

Father, there is so much to do. Just once I’d love to get to the end of my day having successfully checked everything off my do-to list. I want to find balance in my life. I want to serve and worship You. But it feels like everyone is demanding something from me and trying to keep them all happy is exhausting.

But wait . . . that’s not what You ask of me. You don’t ask me to serve others is a way that makes them happy. In fact, You encourage me to sit at Your feet like Mary. You invite me to bring my weariness and my burdens to You so that You might give me rest.

Forgive me for thinking I can do it all myself. Forgive me for worrying more about pleasing people than worshipping You. Please guide me as I plan my schedule and help me balance my days with worship and service. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The account of Mary and Martha shows us the importance of finding our peace and joy in Jesus by balancing both worship and service as we live our lives. #Planning #Peace #Worship #Faith #CountingMyBlessings

If you and I truly want to experience the peace and joy we can have in Christ Jesus, we must sit at His feet to find the balance between worship and service.

On today’s note write:

Peace and joy are found when we worship and serve Jesus.

God bless you and help you find the balance you need to experience His peace and joy.

Read the rest of Luke 10 here.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

6 Comments

15 of the Best Ways to Enjoy a Balanced Life

7 / 20 / 161 / 20 / 18

You want a balanced life, but It's hard to enjoy emotional balance when the roller coaster called LIFE makes taking time for stillness seem impossible.This year was going to be different. You wanted balance.

Time to exercise. Time to read. Time to relax. Time to be still.

God’s wants us to enjoy balance because it models His character.

God put balance and order in creation.

The earth is exactly the right distance from the sun, and has the perfect combination of gases for an atmosphere that supports life. Scientists have determined that any variation to the smallest degree of earth’s angle, distance to the sun, or combination of gases in the atmosphere and life on our planet would be uninhabitable.

The Garden of Eden provided perfect balance for Adam and Eve . . . in their relationship with God and with each other. They knew exactly what to do and when to do it.

But today…

It’s hard to balance work, play, rest, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and find time to just be still.

It’s hard to enjoy emotional balance when the roller coaster called LIFE makes taking time for stillness seem impossible.

It’s easy to feel discouraged, frustrated, and stressed.

But it’s not too late.

With God’s help, you and I can enjoy a balanced life.

First, we have to admit we need God’s help, and we need to help each other.

[Tweet “Admitting I can’t . . . opens the door of surrender to God’s can.”]

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NLT)

With God’s help you and I can:

  • have balanced emotions when life seems out of control.
  • eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise.
  • organize our schedules to get enough rest, find time to play, and work.

 “Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices.” ~Betsy Jacobson

You want a balanced life, but It's hard to enjoy emotional balance when the roller coaster called LIFE makes taking time for stillness seem impossible.15 Ways to Enjoy a Balanced Life

1. Make 20-30 minutes of stillness an essential part of your day. 

Spend time not only in prayer and Bible study, but stop and breathe in the goodness of the Lord. Surrender your schedule each day and ask Him to guide you and help you find balance.

You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever. Psalm 16:11

2. Take a self-assessment test.

1=never. 10=always.

  • How often do you feel agitated or impatient? 
  • How often do you get angry?
  • How often do you feel overwhelmed by your schedule?
  • How often do you feel you can’t finish your to-do list?
  • How often do your family and friends complain that you’re not available?
  • How often do you feel tired from lack of sleep?
  • How often do you exercise?
  • How often do you have time to relax?
  • How often are you too exhausted to _____________?
  • How often do you spend quiet time with God?

3. Admit you need/want to change.

Based on where you landed on the 1 to 10 continuum admit it’s time to take an honest assessment of your life and start to make adjustments.

“Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better.” ~Assorted Authors

4. Assess your calendar. 

  • Grab your schedule and 3 different color pens.
  • Assign the colors – Have To, Want To, Need To
  • Mark each appointment for the week with the desired category color.
  • Make a list of possible appointments you would like to add to your calendar.
  • Use a sample planner page and make an “ideal” schedule – begin with have to, add need to . . . think about any changes you might be able to make.

weeklycalendar

5. Assess your “To Do” list.

Follow the same steps you used for your calendar with your “to do” list, adding a fourth color for delegate to…

It’s okay to need help.

6-8. Assess your credit card statement, your diet, and your physical activity.

 I know it’s not fun. We’ll get to that. But if you want change you have to know where to start.

9. Purge your home of excess.

Go through one room each week—closets, under beds, drawers, and piles in corners. It’s time to free your life of stuff you no longer need or use. Keep only those things that are necessary, beautiful, or valuable. Visit 31 Days to Declutter Your Home – for a list of rules and a practical plan of attack.

Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6

10. Organize what’s left.

If you keep it; you want to know where it is. That’s just good stewardship. Keep what you use available and clean.

Check out my Pinterest Organizing Tips Board for helpful ideas.

Pinterest Board - Organizing Tips11. Schedule “no electronics” time.

This is hard for me. So, I understand if you think it will be impossible to get your family on board. But having “no screen” time will bless you and your family. Enjoy a meal, read, talk, plan the weekend, or play a game. I promise . . . your children won’t remember the television show they watched ten years from now, but they will remember things you did together.

Today’s children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices . . . Children and teens should engage with entertainment media for no more than one or two hours per day, and that should be high-quality content. ~Source AAP

12. Ask for help – you don’t have to do it all. 

It’s okay! Really it is! Stop and consider where you might need help. (Chores, car-pools, errands, homework, organizing, etc.) Make a list of people who might be able to make your life easier. Swallow your pride, and ask. You may be able to barter for some and pay for others.

Remember chores are good for your kids. It’s not “help” if it’s a life skill they need to learn.

[Tweet “”Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.” Ric Ocasek”]

You want a balanced life, but It's hard to enjoy emotional balance when the roller coaster called LIFE makes taking time for stillness seem impossible.
13. Set boundaries – it’s okay to say “no.”

Pray for God’s guidance and to help you say “no” when necessary.

No explanations needed. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now.” is perfectly acceptable. Limiting the number of “extra” activities you and your family do might be a good place to add time in your week.

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.” ~Stephen Covey

14. Baby steps are still steps.

You didn’t get here overnight; a life out of balance happens little by little. Start with lists, goals, and deadlines. Be realistic and remember baby steps are still progress.

“Tiny steps will get you to your goal months and months sooner. A little is better than a lot.” ~Martha Beck

15. Laugh and have fun. 

You won’t stick with this if you’re not having fun. Laugh at yourself and the ways you got here. Enjoy the possibilities of living a balanced life. Schedule at least one or two fun activities each week.

So I recommend having fun because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

God wants us to have balanced lives. Balance that comes from following His plans and purposes for us.

He wants us to know and enjoy His peace.

This is my prayer for you: that you will see the difference between what is important and what is not and choose what is important; that you will be pure and blameless for the coming of Christ; that your life will be full of the many good works that are produced by Jesus Christ to bring glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11–12

Prayer for God’s help to find balance.

Father, I admit my life is out of balance and I need your help. I’m frustrated but I don’t know where to begin. My life is being pulled in a dozen different directions. Right now, help me stop and breathe in the presence of Your Holy Spirit, the One who guides me and helps me know when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” Help me to be still. Help me to trust You with my day. Increase my faith and help me live with balance. Bless me with Your wisdom. Fill me with Your peace. Amen.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts below.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, coworker, or family member…

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

May we pray for you

and pray for others who have left requests.

[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_text=”Subscribe to CMB for a free copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage & Keep the Spark Burning

19 Comments

Search CMB

About Me!

Hi! I'm so glad you're here! I'm Deb Wolf, a recovering “good little church girl” who has been transformed by grace into a joy-filled blessing counter crazy in love with Jesus. I can't wait to tell you about it...

I’m so excited to share my new book!

Let's Connect!

Follow me on...

Counting My Blessings on FB

Counting My Blessings on FB

Become a Blessing Counter to Get

And

You're almost there . . . just leave your email

and click the I'm a Blessing Counter Button!

Click here to leave a prayer request:

Join the Movement

My Verse for 2019

My Verse for 2020

My Life Verse

Reader Favorites

5 Verses to Pray When You Need God to Do the Impossible
Why It's Important for You to Run to Jesus Before You Run Out
5 Ways to Know if Something is From God
How to Know, Love and Trust God and Enjoy a Blessing
How to Love Your Adult Children Really Well
Verses that will Help When You Need to Know God's Will
Why You Need to Spiritually Clean Your Home
How to Read the Bible in a Way that will Change Your Life
5 Verses to Pray When You Need a Miracle
When You Need to Know if Something is From God

Recent Posts

  • Why It’s Important for You to Run to Jesus Before You Run Out
  • How to Know, Love and Trust God and Enjoy a Blessing
  • Tell the Life-Changing Message of Good News Even If No One Listens
  • How to Have Courage and Strength to Do the Right Thing
  • Why It’s Important to Always Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Categories

Sarah’s Garden

We Can Make a Difference

OCC National Collection Week Deb and Abigail-001
Sponsor a Child in Jesus Name with Compassion

FB Blogger Groups I Love

Awards

All verses are taken from the New Living Translation unless otherwise stated.

You are Safe Here

Your privacy is important to me. Read my Privacy Policy.

© CountingMyBlessings, 2007-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Counting My Blessings  – at the Intersection of Faith and Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Site made with ♥ by Angie Makes
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes