Regaining Peace of Mind
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ”
I am good at making things complicated. When there is an interpersonal issue, for example, I will ponder it to the point of obsession. Thinking and rethinking an interaction is done so often that it has become a habit. When you replay actions and conversations over and over, it can become an obsession, and obsessions have negative impacts. At least it is a habit I am aware of and one I am working to overcome. I’ve been told that I am not alone in this struggle.
I read an interesting article by Kris Gage, entitled “You’re Making It Harder Than It Has To Be.” She argues, “None of this is supposed to be that complicated. Love shouldn’t be complicated. Work shouldn’t be complicated. Happiness and peace of mind and wellbeing shouldn’t be complicated.” Ms. Gage affirms that life isn’t meant to be easy; that is why we shouldn’t make it even harder. Relationships aren’t easy; work isn’t easy; our faith life shouldn’t be easy; raising children or grandchildren isn’t easy; daily tasks aren’t easy. So much of life isn’t easy, so we cannot afford to make it even more complicated, especially when we do not need to do so.
Ms Gage rightfully states, “If doing anything brings you more anxiety or unease or worry or stress or anything negative than it brings you happiness and peace of mind and comfort and security and whatever else you’re looking for, then you’ve overcomplicated it.” We deserve better from ourselves. God has given us such a short time on this earth; we do not need to deplete our energies with unhealthy obsessing.
Today, let’s you and I reflect on the ways we can make our lives less complicated by refusing to turn healthy encounters, or even unhealthy encounters, into obsession sessions in our minds. Pray for God’s Spirit to give us the wisdom and faith to learn that most of what we obsess about is either beyond our control or not worthy of so much attention. We create this type of obsession due to a lack of faith and trust in the Spirit’s ability to work out our struggles. Offer God your struggles and notice the way obsessions fall away.
