Several previous blogs that you might find helpful if you desire additional perspectives on quieting your mind and focusing on God are Has Fear Nested In Your Faith? and Is Your Journey Hopefull or Hopeless.

I find for myself the following four steps help me quiet my mind and focus on God.

Step 1: Maintain a Schedule

Whether you are working, retired, or a student, set and keep a schedule. The regularity of routine reduces stress. Two important factors include sleeping and eating. You don’t always have to set an alarm to keep a wake-up schedule. In our area, the birds are the alarm clock. For others, it may be the angle of the sun shining through the window. Whatever regularly wakes you up, get up with anticipation of a good day provided by God.

You also need to decide what your regular eating schedule may be. Some people do intermittent fasting. Others believe in three meals-a-day. Some eat only when they are hungry. Whatever you choose, being consistent in your meal times allows your body to function in the balance between rest and metabolism. If on certain occasions you are hungry or there is an opportunity to eat “off your schedule,” don’t let that become your stress. Maybe a lunch or coffee with a friend is just the moment you need to quiet your mind.

Additional regularly scheduled events may include your bath/shower, teeth brushing, and other personal care activities. When you keep these at regular scheduled times, again your body and mind are able to relax. This is especially important as you wind down for your evening, bedtime routine. While some people might claim that a schedule confines them, a schedule can free your mind of the constant chatter of “what’s next.”

Step 2: Ability to say, NO!

This may be very difficult at first. Too many times we don’t want to hurt someone else’s feelings or think a task won’t get completed. No is your safety valve in protecting your time and your sanity. I spoke with a friend the other day, and the conversation was about getting people involved in an upcoming project. I told her I realized she was busy and I might need to ask someone else. She said, “You know, they say if you want to get something done, ask someone who is busy. You know they will finish the task.”

I’m getting better at saying no. Remember, if you set your schedule, you honestly can say “No” because you know it won’t fit into the time you have allotted. You are the only one who will protect you. One example in my life is being asked to bake treats for the Church Fellowship time on Sunday morning. I know that will take extra time on Saturday or early Sunday morning that doesn’t fit into my routine. I volunteered to give money on a regular basis to provide coffee, paper goods, and other items. I’m able to experience the comradery with the other ladies, and still protect my needed space.

There will be times that emergencies arise and we have no choice but to say yes. That is important in our loving compassion for those around us. But, if we are always saying yes, without regard for our own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health; we have become slaves to the acceptance by other people. Remember, Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31 and Matthew 22:37-39, that the second commandment after loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” An anonymous writer states, “in order to be kind, compassionate, and generous to our neighbor, we must first be these things to ourselves.”

Step 3: Reduce Social Media and News

Check out the previous posts suggested. I look around and think that God never intended for humanity to be as busy as we are and as bombarded by electronic information that has mushroomed over the last several decades. This too can fit into your scheduled time. I can be a news junkie if left to my own devices. I have chosen not to start the day with news, because I wouldn’t find the “right” time to turn it off. I’d not want to miss the next “breaking news.” I have chosen to watch one-hour of lunch news and evening news. I avoid looking at FaceBook and other social media posts during my “working” hours. I give myself a limited time each evening to catch up on electronic news feeds or family FaceBook posts.

I know there are some people that live on their social media platforms. They are sitting and waiting to see the next comment or post. Too often this gets people trapped in the emotional drama that seems to permeate cyberspace that is far removed from the conventional norms of respectful discussion in a face-to-face environment. My husband has started to block and delete long-held friends. Not because they have differing opinions, but because of their hateful and nasty comments. Reading those types of comments created headaches, upset stomach, and sleepless nights. Again, you will be the only person who will take care of you. This is when repeating the Serenity Prayer can be helpful to detach from the actions of others.

Step 4: Surround Yourself with Positive People and Sounds

You really do have the ability to choose whom you surround yourself with. There are interactions that cannot be avoided, but you can limit the time spent with individuals that surround themselves with negative vibes. Begin to take assessment of the people in your life. Is it the people or could it be the location? There are some places you may find that are less than positive because of the music or the scenery. I’ve found that certain music in restaurants takes my mind back to the sadness of my adolescence.

This leads to your ability to choose the music or sounds within your environment. Make every effort to choose uplifting and encouraging sounds and sights that come into your eye and ear gates.

Furthermore, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are worthy love, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

So, I encourage you to take a deep breath next time your mind seems to be off to the races to be fearful, discouraged, or overwhelmed with negative thoughts that won’t stop.  After that deep breath, quote the Serenity Prayer to remind yourself that you (and I) have NO control over others and their actions or reactions.  The only thing we do have control over is ourselves…and often that is a FULL TIME JOB!  Let go and let God! 

In the craziness of our world, it takes tremendous effort to find a quiet place. It takes time to quiet your mind and your heart before the Lord.

Francis Chan

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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