During a special ministry meeting, where the theme was “Prepare for Success,” one of the words shared by our guest speaker was frazzled. I had a good idea what frazzled meant. In fact, there have been many times I probably could have volunteered for the picture in the dictionary, but the definition I heard that night has continued to open my eyes.
She said it meant to be worn on the edges.
Wow–that’s definitely how most people feel. Worn out. Wearied. Stressed. Running out of gas. Whatever you want to call it, the result is the same: we often feel worn on the edges.
But then I thought about this in a different light:
To be worn on the edges means the center is still in tact.
And this is where our focus needs to be. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” One translation says, “…continue without weakening.”
Obviously, it’s possible to get weary (worn on the edges) or the Bible wouldn’t warn us of the dangers. But “feeling weary” doesn’t have to break us down altogether. And here’s why: our center is still in tact.
As a believer, you are rooted and grounded in Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write this encouragement to the Ephesians: “I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).
In other words, your inner being (your heart) can be so centered in God’s love, that regardless of outside circumstances or wear and tear, you can remain strong in Him.
So here are three ways to avoid feeling frazzled:
1. By placing God’s Word in your heart.
“My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart” (Proverbs 4:20-21, AMPC).
When you’re feeling worn on the edges, don’t miss an opportunity to read and meditate on God’s Word. The honest truth is, opportunity will always be present, but when you prioritize your day to include time in prayer and God’s Word (every day), you are less likely to experience weariness.
Even if you only have a few minutes each day, you’ll be surprised how much peace and strength God’s Word will add to your life.
2. By keeping your thoughts on God and not yourself.
“Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, who raised [Jesus] up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] on God” (1 Peter 1:21, AMPC).
Your faith in God is only as strong as your focus on God.
If all we do is think on (and stress about) our schedule, the money, our responsibilities, and so on, we will continue to feel (and be) worn on the edges. But when we turn our eyes, and therefore our faith, on our Savior, we are suddenly recalibrated and brought back to center. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
3. And lastly, by praying in the Spirit.
“But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21, TPT).
The Message Translation says praying in the Spirit helps you stay “…right at the center of God’s love…”
This is probably the single most thing that keeps me sane. When I feel frazzled, I pray in the Spirit. When I pray in the Spirit, I don’t experience weariness because my heart connects to God’s heart and centers me in Him. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8), but He can’t keep you there– you have to do that. Praying in the Spirit helps.
God designed us to live from the inside-out, not the outside-in.
Decide to center yourself in Him. No matter what your “edges” are doing, you can be okay because of your center, not your edges.
I hope this helps someone today.
