Being an entrepreneur entails details: projects, reports, networking events, speaking gigs, invoices, et cetera, et cetera. It’s a lot of details, so many that my mind struggles to wrap around them. If I’m not careful, they overwhelm and consume me. I begin to worry. The panic rises, and I work and work and work some more.
I forget to rest. I lose my way. Caught up in the nitty-gritty, I neglect to be overwhelmed by the biggest thing: God. When he overwhelms me, I don’t worry as much. Anxiety bumps the edges of my consciousness, but God holds it at bay. As long as I focus on him, he keeps me safe from the enemy waging war against my mind and heart.
I still fall to that enemy. Rest continues to be one of my great struggles. I try to take control; I focus on all the little, oh-so-overwhelming things. I’m rarely successful in the war against worry, but I think—I hope—I’m learning and maybe even growing in my ability to stand strong against it.
The secret arises from being still, quiet. Perry Noble says in his book Overwhelmed, “Slowing down isn’t just a good idea; it’s necessary for us to realize that hope is not lost.” My entire being resounds with “yes” to that statement. I may struggle to rest, but I recognize its importance.
In resting I remember who God is, how big and awesome and holy he is. He is bigger than anything I’m facing. He upholds all things, and “all things” means all. God takes care of every detail, every jot and tittle, every moment of the universe and of my life.
It’s also in resting that I learn from people who have gone before me. Daniel stood against the Babylonian empire; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego entered the fiery furnace; Mary heard from an angel and faced not only social ostracism but also the possibility of stoning; and Peter and the scruffy disciples became courageous in their proclamation of Jesus.
These people were no myths and legends but ordinary, flesh-and-blood people who believed in an extraordinary God. They faced worries, worries much larger than my quarterly taxes and expense reports, and overcame them. Their victory, though, did not rest in figuring out the best solution or doing all the right things. It came from trusting in God, in being—and staying—overwhelmed by the biggest thing.
Because of that, they were able to join David in singing, “Oh give us help against the adversary, / For deliverance by man is in vain. / Through God we will do valiantly, / And it is he who shall tread down our adversaries” (Psalm 108:12-3, NASB). I join him, too, and pray to always be overwhelmed by the biggest thing, not the little ones.
Image: South African Tourism (Creative Commons)