Living the Simple Life: Honor Your Limitations

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implify and make some changes that benefited her and her children.</p><p id="3b7c">A little stretching feels good but when we pull too hard and expect too much of ourselves we can do much harm. <a href="https://www.simplelifesimplefaith.com/secret-to-balanced-life/">You don’t have to do it all</a>, be everything, have it all.</p><p id="f121" type="7">You don’t need it all. You just need what you need.</p><p id="1a25">Simplifying helps us focus on what we can do, what’s important to do, and gives us permission to let other things go. Sometimes we just need permission to let go of our own expectations.</p><p id="da44">Confide in someone you trust if you are feeling overwhelmed, maybe you just need permission to honor your limitations.</p><p id="178d"><b>A Simple Prayer: </b><i>Lord, I confess that trying to do everything is not helpful to me or those I love. Give me the wisdom to seek counsel and advice when I need it, and give me a clear understanding of what you would have me focus on. Help me to avoid all other temptations or expectations that are out of line with Your will for my life. Amen.</i></p><h2 id="65f5">Preparing for simplicity</h2><ul><li>Do you have an area of your life that is stretching your limitations? Is it possible you have set yourself up for failure by stretching yourself too thin?</li><li>When you commit to a way of life or a season in your life, make sure that you are prepared and that it’s reasonable to do. Is what you have committed to now within

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your ability to achieve? Is it something that you want to do or is it bringing you bitterness and resentment?</li></ul><h2 id="3cc0">Simple truths</h2><p id="6f23">Proverbs 31 has been referred to as a chapter on all the things a woman may do to care for her family and those around her, but it’s really a chapter on wisdom. Which of these areas are your specialties — where does wisdom dictate that you should focus?</p><h2 id="385a">Practicing simplicity</h2><p id="2a24">The Bible says that wise counsel is like perfume for the heart. (Proverbs 27:9 TLB) Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to confide in someone. And sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone outside our circle of friends or family — someone with an objective view and who can provide resources and strategies to help us.</p><figure id="26fe"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*wSdl6sbxKSpLMDGIEA-VHQ.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="fcd1"><b>This story is published in <a href="https://medium.com/koinonia">Koinonia </a>— stories by Christians to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family, and fun.</b></p><p id="01e3">We are a <a href="https://www.smedian.com/p/5c646f03cac397ec0012c9d2/dashboard">Smedian Publication</a>. Find out <a href="https://medium.com/koinonia/about">about us</a> and how to<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpRfb7RURrQvXR1x48dS1c2bQBuiJ3H8lrsHP8V0Wg1qetNQ/viewform"> write for us</a>.</p></article></body>

You don’t have to do everything to be successful

“Of all the disciplines simplicity is the most visible and therefore the most open to corruption.” — Richard J. Foster

I was working with a mom who was attempting to school ten children by herself. She had them enrolled in several different online schools and had to keep up with all their needs and requirements. Her culture required her to be the primary caregiver and teacher.

One day when we were alone she began to cry and said something like, “Mrs. Gallagher, how do you do it all? I wish I could be as successful as you.”

I affirmed her and helped her to see that she was trying to do too much (and comparing herself to me when I didn’t have the same responsibilities). She felt overwhelmed and like a failure, not because she was incapable or lacked the commitment, but because she was stretched well beyond her limits.

With community support and assistance from her spiritual advisers, we were able to help her simplify and make some changes that benefited her and her children.

A little stretching feels good but when we pull too hard and expect too much of ourselves we can do much harm. You don’t have to do it all, be everything, have it all.

You don’t need it all. You just need what you need.

Simplifying helps us focus on what we can do, what’s important to do, and gives us permission to let other things go. Sometimes we just need permission to let go of our own expectations.

Confide in someone you trust if you are feeling overwhelmed, maybe you just need permission to honor your limitations.

A Simple Prayer: Lord, I confess that trying to do everything is not helpful to me or those I love. Give me the wisdom to seek counsel and advice when I need it, and give me a clear understanding of what you would have me focus on. Help me to avoid all other temptations or expectations that are out of line with Your will for my life. Amen.

Preparing for simplicity

Do you have an area of your life that is stretching your limitations? Is it possible you have set yourself up for failure by stretching yourself too thin?

When you commit to a way of life or a season in your life, make sure that you are prepared and that it’s reasonable to do. Is what you have committed to now within your ability to achieve? Is it something that you want to do or is it bringing you bitterness and resentment?

Practicing simplicity

The Bible says that wise counsel is like perfume for the heart. (Proverbs 27:9 TLB) Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to confide in someone. And sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone outside our circle of friends or family — someone with an objective view and who can provide resources and strategies to help us.

This story is published in Koinonia — stories by Christians to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family, and fun.