You can get off the treadmill!

How many times have you felt like the hamster in the wheel, running and running but not really getting anywhere?

Unfortunately, most of us feel that way from time to time. I find myself having to refocus and look for creative ways to be able to accomplish all that I have before me. For a hilarious look at life on the treadmill, click here.

So, what are some of those creative ways?

First, to get off the treadmill you must be determined to do so. Life does not get better by itself. It only gets better when we choose to make it better.

The place I see the most resistance to this concept is in marriage. I often hear, “It’s not my problem, it’s her (or his) problem.”

Life is the sum of our choices. What you and I decide today will be our future – – whether good or bad. Obviously, We can’t determine what will happen to us, but we can make the choices that are in our power.

Second, pray about everything. Paul told us not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything.  He also told us that God’s peace would cover over us as we seek God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Paul is offering us the perfect way to get off the treadmill.

I encourage you to make praying about everything a priority for you. It’s not easy, but it is valuable beyond measure.

Third, look for creative solutions. In other words, try to find ways to shorten processes and to choose what you will do and will not do. I can’t do everything, therefore, there are some things that I need to leave to others. I need to know how to say “no.” We all need to know how to do that.

Yesterday I listened to a mother who can’t say no to her grown children. She’s trying to take care of herself, her children, and her grandchildren. For most of us that’s too much to take care of. We must learn how to equip children and grandchildren to take care of themselves. That’s the kind of creative decision-making we must have.

Finally, don’t focus on the treadmill; focus on what will get you off the treadmill. You must live in what can be not what can’t be. As long as you live in the “awful present,” you can’t get to the “better future.” Look for the best and live with that future in mind.

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