How to Live Your Life Without Losing Your Mind

Some saints can't enjoy a meal because the world is starving. They can't joyfully thank God for their clothing and shelter because the world is naked and homeless. They're afraid to enjoy an evening at home with their families because they feel like they ought to be out saving souls...They know nothing of balance and they're miserable because of it...They think the gospel is good news until you obey it. And then it becomes an endless guilt trip.

Jim McGuiggan

Read

Take a look at Ecclesiastes 3:12-15. Think of each verse in light of the first 11 verses of the chapter.

Think

In light of the futility of the earth's cycles and the apparent meaninglessness of life, there has to be a way that we can live our lives and not lose our minds. After all, if we are just a bundle of DNA, then the only thing that gives us meaning and purpose in this life is the Darwinist domination over other species and the exertion of our right to survive as the fittest of our own species. But we have it written deep down on our hearts that there is something more, and as C.S. Lewis put it, "Creatures are not born with desires unless a fulfillment of those desires exists." And in these 4 verses, Solomon gives us a framework of acting in light of those desires, so that we can break the endless cycle of living under the sun.

Enjoy Life, vs. 12- God has given us so much that we can enjoy, let's stop working so hard and live a little. Let's stop filling up our schedules with an endless series of meaningless busy-ness, and take the time to enjoy what God has given to us.

Be Thankful, vs. 13- Don't forget that all the things that we enjoy about life are gifts from God. And the enjoyment of these things is not complete without the verbal expression of how much we enjoy them. God gives us so much, and we return the gift to Him in thankfulness. And thankfulness keeps us from insanity.

Fear God, vss.14-15- A healthy reverence for the One too magnificent for words, the One who is outside the world, yet chooses to work within it, is the third key to breaking the cycle of monotony that so defines our world under the sun. When we recognize Him as Almighty Creator, and then approach Him as such, we are more able to see beyond the cycle of life to its meaning and purpose.

We fear the thunderous power of a love so relentless it could send One's own Son to die. We fear the utter blackness of God turning away, as endured by Christ on Calvary. We stand before the cross and realize we can add nothing. We can take nothing away. The act is perfect and forever, and our fear turns to abounding love and devotion.

David Jeremiah, Searching for Heaven on Earth

Pray

Ask God to reveal to you just how you can more fully enjoy your life and view it in light of His mercy to you. Commit to Him to find the time to really experience some of the great things He's given to us to enjoy.

Do

Evaluate your calendar. Is it jam-packed with busy-ness, or do you find time to enjoy life? Do you make it a point to be thankful for the good gifts God gives? Does your life reflect reverence for the Almighty, or is it spent in search of the next award, pleasure, or promotion?