Have you ever felt off balance? I have, and in more ways than one. It started with my physical balance and another round of therapy. When my therapist described a specific exercise, I thought, “No problem, that’s easy! How difficult can it be to stand on one foot for 60 seconds?” Then he added, “Arms down and no holding on to the rail.” I wasn’t counting on those little details, but still, it didn’t sound so bad. I quickly realized I had underestimated my ability. It sounded easy enough, but it wasn’t. I wobbled, strained, and eventually fell to one side, thankful the rail was there for me to grab. I changed feet and tried again—another unsuccessful attempt. Finally, my therapist told me to pick a focal point to concentrate my attention. This advice made all the difference and reminded me of my spiritual walk.
Just as I can lose my physical balance by taking my eye off my focal point while standing on one foot, I can do the same spiritually. It is easy to try to stand on my own, lose focus, and get overwhelmed by problems; my concerns for family and friends who are ill or hurting, national and global issues soon consume my thoughts.
How to maintain spiritual balance
Coaches often tell athletes to “keep your eye on the ball” or to concentrate on a “focal point” to maintain peak performance. The idea is to identify a specific, controllable, observable, and relevant focal point. Spiritually, I must do the same or lose my spiritual balance by focusing on problems and needs rather than solutions and provisions. To maintain peak spiritual performance, Jesus must be my specific focal point. My controllable focal point is the choice to let the Holy Spirit guide me. How I react to a particular need or circumstance is my observable focal point. When I ask Jesus what He calls me to do with what I have available to use or give is my relevant focal point. What is observable and relevant may differ from one person to the next. The one thing that is the same for all believers is the specific and controllable choice of focusing on Jesus.
I am limited in what I can specifically do for the people of Ukraine, or the families who recently lost precious children in the mass shootings. My heart is broken and I often am overwhelmed at the violence in our country and abroad. If I lived in Ukraine or a neighboring country, I could offer my home, food, and clothing. If I lived Uvalde or Buffalo I could come alongside families in some physical manner. Of course, I can and do send money to aid organizations, donate to mental health causes and victims of shootings. I can pray. These are relevant and important things I can do. Somehow these actions never seem enough. I am here and they are there.
Imbalance vs. balance
When it comes to the various needs, I pray for guidance regarding which organizations to support financially. I pray for peaceful resolutions and relief for those suffering loss or mental illness. However, I will lose my spiritual balance if I fill my mind and burden my heart with images of circumstances that I cannot control or change. This imbalance leaves me depressed and filled with a sense of helplessness. If I become overwhelmed with my list of prayer needs for the ill and hurting, I will falter. There is a delicate balance of trust and focus coupled with doing what we can to help and assist those with needs and prevent further violence. Adjusting my focus is sometimes a daily exercise.
Sorrow and injustice filled the world when Jesus was born. Historians tell us the Roman Empire was violent and brutal, especially toward enslaved people and the lower class. But he stayed focused. Jesus knew how to balance his life. Despite the injustice, Jesus remained focused on His mission which was to do the will of His Father. Our mission as believers is the same.
How to have hope among hopelessness
It is heartbreaking to watch what is happening in our own country and globally. A sense of helplessness can take over. But through focused prayer, I will hear the Father’s instructions of what he calls me to do. He will guide me and reveal His specific focal point for me to help provide without becoming overwhelmed with the pain and sadness of the world. He will protect me from losing my spiritual balance. We can’t solve every problem and stop every war, but we can be peacemakers: in our communities, families, and churches. God is asking us to start where we are.
Mother Teresa put it this way. “If I look at the mass, I will never act. If I look at the one, I will.”
Blessings,
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we offer a sacrifice of praise in a confusing and painful world. Your word reminds us that we will have trouble in this world but you have overcome the world. Show each of us where we can serve and bring healing and comfort to those in our sphere of influence. Give us the courage and faith to trust you with the rest. Amen.
“If I look at the mass, I will never act. If I look at the one, I will.”
Mother Teresa
Personal Parables practices
- What is the one choice I can make today to offer the peace, comfort, and love of Jesus to another?
Scripture for Meditation
John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)
Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)
John 6:38-40 – For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. (NIV)
Hebrews 12: 2 – …looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)
Matthew 5:4, 9 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (NIV)
Music for Reflection
