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ATB blog

Balancing Act

8/6/2014

2 Comments

 
One of the most difficult things in life is to find a balance of spiritual, emotional and physical well being. We often feel like a high wire act, either just on the edge of great success or possible total disaster. One day God is right there with us, next day we are asking where he is hiding. Our job is great, our job is terrible. We look great for our age, but man do I look fat.

And the funny thing is when we are in balance and life seems good, we get bored. Go figure!

This past year has required new and exciting challenges for me, especially with all the travel. Last week I forgot my Men's Devotional which is the first thing I read in the morning, and it threw me off balance because it is part of my life line while away from home. Thank God for the internet and Bible apps on the phone, but still, going away from the familiar was an adjustment.

For folks who have addictive personalities, we live usually in the high's and low's. Normal, or being in the middle, is a setting on a washing machine, and means little to us, except that boredom. There is no adrenalin rush in the middle, only peace. But when life begins to change, we begin to make personality adjustments, we find that scripture we love in Philippians to be a constant companion:

"....and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

I am glad the word "minds" is in there because when we are in our own mind we are often behind enemy lines, and that is what causes the chaos and imbalance, the highs and lows because we are focused on us instead of God. We do our will instead of His and we find ourselves in a wilderness searching for a way out and there seems no path of freedom.

What I have had to grasp to get in the middle, to get in balance, is that my relationship with God is enough, and everything else added to it is a bonus. That way, when something good happens I rejoice, but I don't expect everything to always be great. And when bad moments occur, I feel the pain but don't let it linger. Because in either, God remains the same, and I remain going to the same place when I depart this earth.

The balancing act is accomplished by letting God be that pole thing that those high wire walkers carry (not sure what it is called). When in balance it helps us get to the other side, avoid dangerous falls, and yet when we get there the enormous adrenalin rush of knowing our creator just walked us through a difficult part of life is a feeling that does pass all understanding........we are at peace because we are His piece of work. 

If we let Him, He will always balance out the situation, no matter what danger lies ahead!

Glenn
2 Comments
Angie
8/7/2014 12:59:55 am

That is why I thank God for the good and bad in my life. Everything that happens makes me a better testimony for my loving father who will never leave me nor forsake me. He gives me peace even in chaos, ain't he the best.

Reply
PAIGE GOBIN
8/7/2014 08:43:05 am

MR GLENN THAT IS SO TRUE WE MUST HAVE A BALANCE!!! IN THE BEGINNING OF MY RECOVERY I REMEMBER WHEN EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT (AND BORING) I WOULD CREATE CAOS .. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO LIVE WITH OUT IT.I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND PEACE . LOL . EVEN WHEN I TRIED TO CONTROL SOME STUFF IT WAS ALWAYS THE THREE C'S....CAOS , CONFLICT, AND CONFUSION. IT WASN'T UNTIL"I" GOT OUT OF THE WAY THAT LIFE BEGAN . THEN I SWAPPED THE DRUG ADDICTION FOR FOOD. THAT WAS A STRUGGLE ALSO. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO LIVE WITH BALANCE.....THAT IS , NOT UNTIL I HAD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. I THEN BEGAN TO FILL THAT BLACK EMPTY HOLE INSIDE WITH GOOD STUFF ( PRAYER, MEETINGS, SPONSORSHIP, MEDITATION, CHURCH, WORK, DIET, EXERCISE, SLEEP, AND NUTRITION). TODAY I HAVE BALANCE. I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS AND FEEL GREAT... I HAVE PEACE AND I HAVE BALANCE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES OVER NIGHT. IT'S TAKES PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION. I LOVE THIS PROGRAM CALLED RECOVERY THAT TEACHES ME HOW TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME.

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    Glenn Yankowski

    Glenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at sgtski@bellsouth.net.

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