Beech Tree News Network

 We are pulled in many directions these days. We have responsibilities to our families, to our work, and school. We have household responsibilities with our money, our bills, etc. It seems we can be busy all day long and still accomplish nothing. Is this how we feel sometimes? Yet, when we read the Bible, we can see that God says there is a balance that will help us in life.

    What balance do we find in Scripture? We find a balance described in such passages as Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 22:37-39. Put simply, it is that God must come first, then others, and then self. We need to love God with all our being, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus told His followers to “seek first” God’s kingdom and righteousness, and then “all these things” would be added to us. What kind of things will be added to us? Please read Matthew 6:25-33 and see that the things listed there are the things which pull at us today! What shall we eat? What shall we wear? Where shall we live? Instead of this being first and foremost in our minds, put God first, and those things will fall into place. Yes, a balance is needed! Not having this balance brings many problems we might have otherwise avoided.

    How does this balance come about? It comes by spending time in God’s word. This may seem “trite” to some, but it is necessary to remind us of this need. We’re living a hectic pace, as we have already noted! Therefore, let us give time to God daily (Rom. 12:1-2)! Let us read His word and pray (Eph. 3:4; I Tim. 4:16; I Thess. 5:17)! Knowing God’s word and following it will help us in every facet of life.

    We can help ourselves balance things in life when we learn to control our anger. Yes, this is easier said than done, but it still needs to be done! The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27). Solomon instructed folks not to be friends with an angry man (Prov. 22:24). Why would Solomon discourage such friendship? “Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (Prov. 22:25). Sadly, we are living in a society that thinks the only way to have their message heard is by getting angry and screaming at others. Let us take a step back and get balanced. Let us know that there is a time to get angry. Even Jesus got angry (Mk. 3:5; Jn. 2:13-17). However, He did not allow this to rule Him! Therefore, do not allow anger to rule us!

    Another way to work on balance in life is to remember our spiritual priorities. Just as we need to be good citizens, good spouses, good employees, etc., so also we need to have our spiritual priorities in order. We cannot be balanced like we need to be otherwise. In order to have that proper balance we need to make sure we are Christians. How is this done? We become can get our spiritual lives in order when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repent of sin (Lk. 13:3, 5), confess Christ (Rom. 10:10), and are baptized for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38). Have you done this? If not, why not? Let’s make sure we have a balanced life!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167