Today’s blog by Yvonne

Do you suffer from “Hurry Sickness?” I found out that it is a real condition as shown in the definition from Psychology Today. They define it as “a behavior pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness; an overwhelming and constant sense of urgency.” Feb 9, 2013, from Psychology Today

I think many of us suffer from this sickness and don’t even realize it. In our 24/7 world, life never stops or never slows down enough for us to rest or to connect with those around us. Hurry sickness robs us of our most important relationships. We become too busy for our friends, our family, and even our God. What do you sacrifice on the altar of busyness in hopes of getting ahead in life?

Take heart; we can overcome our need always to be busy and in always in a hurry. Tom Stuart provides us some great ways to combat this disease. His advice is a good reminder that God never intended for us to be so busy that we cannot hear God speak to us. Slow down. Be still. Make room for your relationships, especially the relationship with God.

Inspired by Jesus, here are five things Tom Stuart found that are antidotes in combating the hurry disease.

1.  Practice solitude!  Jesus did! (Mark 1:35)  Like Jesus, I love the early morning hours, to take time to commune with God and prepare my heart for the day. Uninterrupted silence is like manna, a person needs to savor it before the sun comes up and the to do’s of the day melt it away.

2.  Sit down!  Jesus did!  When Jesus was tired and wanted to conserve energy, He sat down to rest. Whether He was at a well, on the Mount of Olives, in the temple or on a mountainside (John 4:6, Mark 12:41, 13:3, John 6:3)   What better prescription for hurry sickness than to take a well-deserved break and sit down.  The important thing is letting your mind sit in addition to your body.  Studies show those who take regular work breaks are more productive than those who don’t.  That alone should be sufficient incentive to stop hurrying.

3.  Take a nap!  Jesus did! (Luke 8:23)  He could sleep anywhere, even in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee.  I’ve found that nothing refreshes me more when the storms of life are pressing in upon me, then taking a nap.  Invariably I wake up with a renewed energy and resolve to face the challenges that are before me calmly.

4.  Take a road trip!  Jesus did!  His times with His disciples traveling from village to village were times to think, talk, listen and learn.  I love road trips.  The longer the distance, the better and the less traveled the road, the more leisurely it seems.  Nothing beats time in the car, alone or with a worthy companion, to commune with God or one another and to recharge the soul.  And avoid hurry when you can by getting off the freeway and taking the scenic route.

5.  Set your agenda!  Jesus did!  People all around Jesus including his family members were urging Him to do all manner of things. (John 7:1-9)  But He always called His shots and set His own pace, even in life or death situations. (Mark 5:25 & John 11:1-7)  It takes conviction and courage to say “Wait” or “No” to the myriad demands of life and to refuse to be a people pleaser.  And few things keep hurrying at bay more than setting your agenda and keeping your timetable.

Blessing,
Yvonne, author and blogger.

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”