Success or Stress?

Julia
February 20, 2019

What is your definition of success? Money? Fame? Debt free? Perfect marriage (which doesn’t exist)?

Are you the one defining your success or is someone else? We let other people too often define success for our lives, and I get it, it’s easy to get caught up in their dreams for you. However, what is God’s dream for you? What would give you complete peace and contentment? It’s different for everyone because everyone was made differently, but if you don’t know what success is for you how will you know when you’ve reached it? How will you stay on the course to accomplish it?

A while ago I started defining success for myself. Stay at home mom; happy and healthy family; bills paid on time; weekly quality time with family; making sure my husband is fully loved all the time; make my own schedule; stress free (as a mom can be). I have more goals, dreams and ambitions but I won’t let any of them compromise my true definition of success. Yes, sometimes I get a little off track, but I can feel when I do. My chest becomes tight, I feel like I can’t breathe, I want to crawl into a hole and not come out because I can’t figure out what to do so I won’t do any of it, I treat my family in a less than loving way…..in other words, major anxiety. I know those are my clues to get back closer to God and what he has called me to be. It’s hard though because sometimes I feel like I should make more money or be more to everyone…..it isn’t my place to please everyone though.

Remember it is ok to say “no” to something that you don’t want to do….and not have a reason. You don’t need to be superman or wonder woman. You were not made to do it all.

Psalm 23 1-2 The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

So the next time you feel less than adequate, remember who your shepherd is……he will take care of you. When you feel tired he will make you lie down. When anxiety creeps in he will take you by quiet waters (and what is more soothing than that)…..lean on God, he will refresh you.

Take the time to define success for you and your family. Write it down! Make is non-negotiable! Ecclesiastes 4:4 “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”