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Pastor Scott Applegate

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalm 127:1-2 NLT

Busyness: A life full of activity that is characterized by work, deadlines, and to do lists that result in a feeling of being overwhelmed and unfinished.

How to Know If You Are Under the Tyranny of a Busy Life?

  • Are you always in a hurry?
  • Is your calendar always full?
  • Do you use your time off or days off to catch up on unfinished work or tasks?
  • Has more than one person told you that you need to slow down or chill?
  • Are you often late for meetings, appointments and get-togethers?
  • Do you feel guilty when you relax?
  • Do you have to get sick in order to actually take time off?

“If you’re burning the candle at both ends – you’re not as bright as you think you are.” Anonymous

How to Fight the Tyranny of Busyness? 

  1. Think about why you do what you do

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Vs 1a

  • Are you busy and working for the right reasons?
  • Who are you trying to please?
  • Are you working in your own strength?
  • ]Have you invited God into your “busyness”?
  • Are you productive or just busy?
  • Are you willing to leave margin in your schedule?

“…A wise person does the right thing at the right time.” Ecclesiastes 8:5 NCV

2. Take time every day to get alone with God and His word

“Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Vs 1b

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” Psalm 119:35-37 NLT

  • If the Son of God needed alone time with God to fulfill His calling, how much more do we?

(Luke 6:12-17, Matthew 14:13-14)

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV

3. Turn it off at least once a week

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night…” Vs 2a

“Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 NLT

  • Gather with God’s family

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 NLT

  • Enjoy the simple things and enjoy what you already have

“So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NLT 

“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NIV

  • Do the three “R’s” (Rest, Relax, and Recreate)

4. Tailor your values and priorities to God’s values and priorities

“…anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Vs 2b

  • Trust: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV
  • Contentment: “Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Mathew 11:28-29 NLT