The longer this pandemic continues, along with all of the political division and social unrest, the more fatigue and stress we are all experiencing. I meet people literally every day who are struggling to maintain their emotional, mental, and relational health.
The struggle is real!
I have become aware of two very powerful tips that are helping people to actually flourish during this season. They are powerfully helping me, for sure.
At first these may sound selfish or survival-oriented. In other words, you may at first think that God would consider these to be the opposite of His call for you to serve Him and His purposes on the earth. But the reality is that this is exactly what He would call us to all the time because they are fundamental to human flourishing and effective mission.
The two tips are:
Make your world smaller.
Feed your deepest relational connections
What I mean by making your world smaller is to tune out the noise of chaos, bad news, and public opinion. Stop gorging your exhausted soul on social media, news media, and all the screens in your life. Stop seeking the advice or rescue of others and draw yourself into the secret place of intimacy with God. Practice the life of altar and stewardship.
Making your world small is to seek interaction with God more than you ever have. Beg Him for clarity, peace, wisdom, and His Presence. This is the safe place; the empowering place; and the healing place. It is the place of Shalom - wholeness and completeness.
One day you’re going to stand all alone with Him anyway and that day you will receive a personal review and accounting of your life. Why not live there now?
I have found my experience of peace and Shalom is directly connected to the volume of my time and energy spend with Him.
The second tip is to feed your deepest relational connections. Marriage partner, kids, siblings, grandkids, and life-long friends are all powerful agents of life for disruptive times. Love, laugh, and serve these people with more focus and vigor than ever before. You need these people and they need you. Your soul will find joy, purpose, and meaning in the deepening of these relationships.
I recently read an article about how human beings were designed to only know about and engage the tragedies and chaos of their own “village” - their oikos and the community in which they live. But today, because of global technology and mediums we are hearing about pain, chaos, and tragedies all over the world and our soul just cannot process that much stress.
Oikos is the Greek word for “extended household” - it is the 8-15 people whom God has supernaturally and strategically placed with a front-row view of your life. They are your people and your mission field.
To thrive in trying times, shrink your world.
This glorifies God and positions you to be even more effective for Him anyway. This is how we “GO” in obedience to the Great Commission:
Intimacy with God
Investment in our Oikos.
God and Oikos - that is all you need, especially in times of dynamic change and disruptive chaos. And it is also how you will live your best life and make your lasting impact on the world.