I am fighting being overwhelmed. I need to write and publish blogs and fulfill other commitments I have made. I find distraction after distraction to keep me from doing those things. I have tons to do around the house which would be fun and productive and give me satisfaction. Yet, every day goes by, and these things aren’t getting done. Frustration increases.

Frustration leads to overeating and irritability. Irritability leads to unloving interactions between myself and others. The spiral goes down from there. Blame sets in for everything. Shame and discouragement become evident. Everything becomes too much, even fixing something simple to eat. Shutting down becomes a stronger impulse, as is finding non-productive things to do instead of fulfilling my desired responsibilities.

The simple answer – just do it. The direct simple approach is just to step out and do one thing, allowing that to lead to the next and the next until some improvement becomes visible. It is not necessary to go any deeper in the pit or to go all the way into the bottom of the pit, to the point of strangulation on self defeat, before allowing the Lord to say, “Just do it,” and hearing it. He doesn’t just say, “Just do it.” He also says, “I will walk and do it with you.”

.Jeremiah said in one of his prophecies, “Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?” Jeremiah 2:5 ESV. I find this verse startlingly real for me today. Putting eyes directly on the Lord will void the distractions.

I also find the verses by Paul so true, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Romans 7:15-19 ESV.

I turn to seek the Lord in this moment as I have in times past when this system of operating has shown up. I spoke with a brother in Christ recently about our friendship. I do not avoid him when I fail or fall short. I will celebrate any victory, no matter how small with him. I am unembarrassed when I’m around him, even though my shortcomings are evident to him and to me. I am always glad when he is around and feel encouraged to take on anything.

During the conversation, I began to realize that Jesus is more precious than this brother, and I have not been treating Him that way. Jesus loves me far better than my brother, and I am less trusting. He is far more knowledgeable about my shortcomings, yet I am far more self-conscious, despite the fact that He has covered all my failings with His own life. My conversation with the brother uncovered the fact that I am giving Jesus, who deserves more, less than I give my brother in the Lord.

The conversation has become a drawing call. Jesus offers more than I know and has to continually reveal to me that He wants me closer and safer. He teaches me my mistakes, even giving me examples in my own life, so that I can be free of them and live in the joy He provides. Jesus showed me in my own life that I am able to have a relationship like He wants. He just wants me to have it with Him without cutting my brother out.

I am not likely to become perfect this side of heaven. Actually, I know I won’t. However, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 ESV. Today, every day, I have help getting past my human boondoggles. I am not alone. I have a friend in Jesus.