It is so common to deal with feelings of inadequacy. There are times when you may simply be overwhelmed with the responsibilities that are resting on your shoulders as a member of the church, a parent or just a person. It is important to realize that we are not expected to be perfect. We should be striving to improve ourselves, but we are not expected to be perfect. Some days you may have those aha moments when every thing clicks together and your understanding increases dramatically. But generally you will progress an inch or two at a time. Sometimes we are moving forward so slowly that it may seem like we are not moving at all.
If you are struggling with being overwhelmed or feel like you just want to stop trying because it is just too much, then you should take these three steps. It may seem like too much to do, but you will be blessed as you move forward in this way.
1) First you should take the time to sincerely pray both morning and night. I have found that if I wait about ten minutes after I wake up, that I am more alert in the mornings and my prayers are more effective. As you pray ask the Lord to help you see what the one thing you need to do today is. This may be serving someone, it may be something you work on at home or it may be accepting your situation. The Lord will help you to see what it is you need to do. You may need to spend some time listening and waiting for an answer.
2) Focus on that one thing over the day. This is relatively easy to do. If it is a simple task, such as calling someone on the phone or sending someone a card, then it should be easy to accomplish. If it is having a positive attitude about your situation, you may need to focus on it more. I know one sister with serious health problems, yet every time I ask how she is, she has a positive response. She does not say she is feeling good if she is not, but she says she feels better than she did or finds something else positive about the day. This slight change of attitude can make a huge difference in your outlook on life and your happiness.
3) At the end of the day pray again. This is a great time to talk over what you tried to do and how it made you feel. You will feel the Lord’s love as you sincerely share with Him your concerns, problems and progress. Additionally you may want to keep a journal about this project, because as you look back over time you will be surprised at how much you have grown spiritually.
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