But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

~Galatians 5:22 NLT

The Coffee Shop

My husband and I frequent a coffee shop, where Roger often visits our table with his dog in tow.  Roger is harsh and demanding to his dog, and this unnecessary roughness has caused his dog to become aggressive towards strangers.

Spiritual Insight

The Lord, however, gave me insight about how much I resemble Roger and his dog. Like Roger, I am a harsh taskmaster with myself. I over-schedule tasks and assign arbitrary and unreasonable deadlines for their completion. Then, like Roger’s dog, I snap at others when I experience exhaustion and stress.

Many times, I’ve heard myself say, “If anyone’s asks me to do just one more thing . . .” Those words divulge when I’ve done too many tasks—assignments of my own choosing rather than those God has chosen for me. These unnecessary weights drain me of strength, causing me to exhibit unnecessary roughness. When I’ve squandered my reserve of energy, patience, and grace, I’m left wanting.

It’s disappointing when I realize I am “there” again. My life feels as if I no longer own it. 

The Exchange

Yet, I find truth in Jesus Christ. He purchased every minute of my life.  In exchange for my burdens, He offered Himself, a light load.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

~Matthew 11:29-30 NIV

Choices

At times, we all need to relinquish some assignments. I need to give up that little pencil with which I scribble assignments in the margin of my day timer. Every time I let it go, I regain my peace and exchange my unmanageable burden for Jesus’ burden, which is light and has eternal rewards.

If you are frazzled or short-tempered, how can you erase assignments from your life that are not God’s ideas?

Father God, I need the mind of Christ about which assignments You want me to accomplish. Partner with me. Give me self-control, so I won’t add anything You haven’t given me the grace to handle. I resign as a people pleaser. Instead, I will please You. I humbly offer my pencils to You. Give me rest, and restore peace as I entrust my future to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Unnecessary Roughness: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved