by Billie Sue Corley

Suppose I interviewed one hundred individuals and posed the question, “What is the significance of productivity to you? It’s probable that the majority would find “productivity” to be a daily aspiration especially since it can be disheartening to face a to-do list that never ends.

Being unstoppable is something many people strive for. The aim with this blog is to reinforce the idea that “stopping is the first move to becoming unstoppable.” Also, a reminder that there’s a difference between feeling “frozen in our tracks” and intentionally stopping to reassess the flow of our day. 

My friend described this common difficulty via text. “I just wrote my to-do list … it is completely overwhelming. I feel the desire to freeze and do nothing.”

Without a doubt, many of us can relate and have uttered the same words in our times of distress. I know I’ve wrestled with that mindset many times. While I’m aware of God’s power working through me and my ability in Christ to accomplish anything, my list sometimes triggers a desire for a nap. Feeling my energy levels drop causes me to become anxious. Productivity goes out the window and I’m just a complete mess.  

Where do anxious thoughts come from? Certainly not from God since He clearly instructs the Christian to “Be anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6) What happens when the day’s demands rouse an unsettled mindset? 

      1. Anxious thoughts threaten to hold us hostage. Feelings of anxiety, most of the time, are nothing more than our imagination gone wild, moving us away from reality.  Scripture teaches, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) The deception of uneasy thoughts captures us rather than us “capturing our thoughts.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

      2. Anxious thoughts affect our ability to function as they drag us around in circles. – Remember Martha? The disciple of Jesus who was described as being “cumbered around with much serving? What was her state of mind? Jesus gives us the answer in His response to her complaint about her sister, Mary. “But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 AMP). Martha wasn’t controlling the demands of her day, instead, the demands of the day were controlling her. When feeling controlled by your schedule, take a moment and ask, “What’s the problem here?”

Reflect on Martha’s mental state as the day’s obligations ensnared her:

a. She was self-absorbed. “Lord, dost that NOT care that my sister hath left me to serve ALONE?” (Luke 10:40b)

b. She felt compelled to bring Mary into the mess she was in. Martha asked Jesus to tell her sister, Mary, who was “calmly sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to His word,” to GET UP so she could be “cumbered around with much serving.”

c. She lost sight of the “one thing” that was “needful/necessary.” – How often do we clutter our minds and forget the “one thing” that settles our spirit and empowers productivity?

      3. Anxious thoughts zap our energy. – When we’re feeling overwhelmed, we tend to “tackle our to-do list” with our mind rather than actions. As the demands of the day relentlessly swirl in our heads, rather than feeling energized, we just want to stop and do nothing. Stopping isn’t a bad thing, in fact, pressing the pause button will help reset our mind, gain momentum, and get us back on a productive path. 

Before we become UNSTOPPABLE, we must first learn to STOP. 

· We must STOP and THINK – What am I thinking? Are my thoughts motivating or depressing? Who’s in control of my mind? The Holy Spirit or the Devil?

· We need to STOP AND RESIST – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Rather than “submitting” to the chaos, we need to “submit” to God and resist (stand against) the enemy of our souls. Notice what God promises when we obey His word, “the devil will flee”!   

·  Finally, it’s essential to STOP AND BREATHE – Breathe out the stress and breathe in God’s power. God is your peace, He never panics. He’s the God of order. As we commit our “list of to-dos” to Him, He’ll order our steps according to His time and wisdom. Whatever God begins, He completes. Productivity happens when we allow God to rule over our to-do list.  

Perhaps this quote will help guide your thoughts today. “We should never try to bear more than one kind of trouble at once. Some people bear three kinds—all they had, all they have now, and all they expect to have.” (Edward Everett Hale).

Today, we have a choice—live in the moment, and tackle one task at a time. Or live in chaos while we frantically struggle to do everything at once. Let’s follow Mary’s example and “choose the good part.” After all, when we give God the “good part of our day” we can be certain He’ll handle the rest.  

Ask yourself:

What’s dragging me around today? Who’s controlling my mind? Is it the Holy Spirit or the Devil? And don’t forget, the next time your UNSTOPPABLE threatens to cave under the pressure of the day, STOP and THINK, RESIST, and BREATHE.  

Father, forgive us when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by anything other than You. Help us stand firm in Your power and walk in Your grace. Thank You, Lord, for being “the calm” in our chaos. In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

Billie Corley, who founded Billie Corley Ministries, has been involved in Women’s Ministry for
over twenty-one years and is an Author, writer, speaker, and bible teacher. “Seeking to Teach,
Inspire and Encourage Women Everywhere for Jesus Christ,” her ministry’s slogan, embodies
her heartfelt desire; Billie uses her writing and speaking to impart her love for God’s word. Apart
from writing, Billie also hosts her annual women’s retreat and monthly bible studies. Billie, who
lives in south Georgia with her soulmate Ben and their cat Blue, is a wife, stepmom,
grandmommie, and great-grandmommie. Check out Billie on FB @ Billie Sue Strawder Corley
or on Billie Corley Ministries. Look for her on Instagram using the username @billiesuecorley.
Her website is http://www.billiecorley.com