“Dr. Dixie, there are so many angry, worried, annoyed people—at home, at work, and for goodness sakes, even in church! I want to be hopeful even when life is stressful, but sometimes their irritation buries me. I know the economy is bad, and the world is a scary place, but why do some people treat others like they’re the enemy?”
Here are some practical reasons for irritation, although bitterness and unforgivness, the root of rage toward others, is an issue that has to be dealt with in a deeper, more intense way.
· People with electronics in the bedroom sleep 2½ fewer hours nightly than 75 years ago. This means 45,625 hours less sleep over 50 years. Result: Chronic fatigue.
· The average office worker’s desk is stacked with 36 hours of backlogged work; three hours weekly is spent looking through the stacks for needed documents. Result: Chronic frustration · In an average lifetime, we spend eight months opening junk mail; seven years playing phone tag and waiting for latecomers. Result: Chronic annoyance.
· Americans average 90 minutes daily watching news about Wall Street’s negative performance; local, violent crimes, and deadly accidents thousands of miles away; far more in a hurricane or earthquake crisis. Result: Chronic anxiety “Margin” is the space between your load and your limit. We are stressed by too much: (1) activity, (2) rapid change, (3) information, (4) choice, (5) debt, (6) media exposure and, (7) electronic connection with people. Our stretched-to-the limit, chronically hurried lifestyle devours margin and feeds irritation. We give the homeless the shelter they need; the hungry, food they need; the short-of-breath, oxygen they need. But we give the margin-less and stressed-out what we don’t need: more constant activity, futilely hoping for distraction.
Jesus offers quiet stillness, not another activity: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened; I will cause you to rest. I will ease, relieve and refresh your…mind, will, emotions.” (Matthew 11:28) Margin is breathing room, produced by deliberately minimizing non-essentials. It is making a reserve, no matter how small, of time, money and energy so the unexpected won’t push us over the edge. Margin-less living is the benchmark of our culture; creating margin is counter-culture. Margin-less living is the disease of our decade; margin is the cure. Among other things, margin allows: · More time with God: Under constant overload, we only react to the pressure. Margin enables us to think, and to enjoy intentional time with Jesus so we can share God’s love with others. If we have no margin and God says, “I want you to do this,” our resentful response is, “Sorry, God – I’d like to help, but I already have too much on my plate.”
· Better physical health: We often begin building margin into our lives after the health crisis occurs. Our bodies need downtime to recuperate from everyday life. Even the fastest race-cars make pit-stops for maintenance. A car can’t be repaired while traveling 200 miles per hour! Yet we expect our bodies and minds to be restored while we race through life, with never enough time to catch a deep breath. Margin is essential to good health.
· Stronger relationships: Time spent with spouse, children, parents and friends builds strength into relationships. Margin-less living is a huge contributor to the collapse of the American family. Margin allows time to talk, listen and enjoy one another. Margin-less living produces irritability that damages family, work and spiritual relationships.
We don’t have to live in constant “survival mode,” irritated, stressed out and struggling to make it through another day. We can choose right now to build a buffer into our lives wherever possible. Slow down; simplify; enjoy the benefits of margin and see what God accomplishes next!
Infinite Grace Ministries exists to teach the Good NewsofGod’sloveforhumankind. Togetherwe’llexperience life transformation through His limitless love and mercy. Visit infinitegrace.com or call 580-774-2884.
