BALANCING YOUR LIFE
By: Rick Warren
The Law of Balance is built into our universe. For things to function properly there must be equilibrium. For example:
The Earth does not vibrate when it rotates because it remains balanced on its axis. And we neither freeze to death nor burn up because we are just the right distance from the sun.
Nature exists in balanced ecosystems. God has built checks and balances into nature that keep the so-called “food chain” of animals and plants in the necessary order.
In architecture, the various points of stress on a building must be balanced or it will collapse.
The human body works best when our systems are balanced. Imbalance is call illness. The restoring of balance is called healing.
One of the most common problems I see in the workplace is that of people living imbalanced lives. This is a disease with many symptoms, but the same root cause. You can become imbalanced with anything – too much or not enough working, eating, sleeping, playing, television, Internet, sex, etc.
The fact is many business people tend to pay more attention to their public lives and neglect the private dimension of their lives. Similar to poor photographs, they are overexposed and underdeveloped.
The results of imbalance are always the same: frustration and fatigue. Like out of balance tires, you wear out quickly. Imbalance unchecked eventually leads to burnout.
A number of years ago, Dr. Charles Garfield conducted a landmark study on “Peak Performers” – those individuals he identified that were acknowledged leaders in their respective fields. One of the common traits of peak performers, he reported, contrary to popular myth, was they were not single-minded workaholics, but instead, reasonably balanced individuals.
The most balanced person who ever lived was Jesus Christ. The Bible says he “grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially” (Luke 2:52).
How would you rate yourself in these four categories of growth and everyday behavior? Is there balance in your life, or have you neglected one or more of these key areas? Let me urge you to do a personal check-up this week. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I mentally sharper than I was five years ago? Why or why not? If not, will I do anything about it?-Am I frequently complaining of fatigue or poor health? If so, what is my plan to change?
Am I developing the spiritual side of my life?
What am I doing to better understand God and his purpose for my life?
Am I cultivating meaningful relationships where support is both given and received? Who can depend up
Proverbs 21:17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 23:19 My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. 20 Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, 21 for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 24:30 I walked by the field of a lazy person,
the vineyard of one with no common sense. 31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down.
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: 33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
Ecclesiastes 3:A Time for Everything
3 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Luke12:27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
1 Timothy 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- Do you consider your life to be fairly well balanced? Explain your answer.
- What examples come to your mind of individuals you have encountered in the workplace that are clearly out of balance, whether in their work, eating or sleeping habits, pursuit of special interests or hobbies, even the use of modern technology?
- How did you rate yourself on Dr. Warren’s questions regarding the four categories of growth and everyday behavior? Is there a question – or more than one – that reveals significant imbalance in your life? If so, what do you think you should do about it?
- Someone once commented, “The only person I ever saw in perfect balance was the one who was moving from one extreme to the other.” What is your reaction to such a statement – is “balance” in life an ever-moving target?
NOTE: If you have a Bible, consider these other passages that relate to this topic:
Proverbs 21:17, 22:3, 23:19-21, 24:30-34; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Luke 12:27-34; 1 Timothy 4:8