Stay Happy Even When Busy? How?

For busy people, time the 24 hours God has given sometimes feel like they are not enough. Have you ever felt that a day suddenly slipped by just like that, while there were still so many things you wanted to do?  Or you feel so busy that your schedule becomes very packed, and without realizing it, there are times when you feel weary and tired inside?

Do not worry, I have felt that way too. Long working hours sometimes make me feel like I do not even have time to breathe or have time for myself.

Even though we are busy with countless activities, we can still remain happy, you know. How can we do that?

But first, let us first look at what the Bible says about being busy.

Busy = Focused on Yourself?

They are like clouds without water, blown along by the wind; like autumn trees without fruit, uprooted and completely dead – Jude 1:12b

When we are busy, we can become absorbed in our own world, and without realizing it, we become people who are self-centered. We see our own interests as the most important, and other people's interests become less important. 

If we read the previous verse, then this verse is talking about people who care only about themselves. So it says that people who are only busy thinking about themselves are compared to clouds without water and trees that do not bear fruit.

What do these two illustrations mean? Clouds themselves are made up of water. Clouds promise the coming of rain. But clouds without water cannot produce rain. In the same way, a tree that does not bear fruit will die down to itsroots. That tree cannot produce anything.

So, when we are only busy with our own interests, we too will become clouds without water, passing by for only a moment, blown by the wind. We will become like trees that do not bear fruit in season, dead down to their roots.

If that is so, how can we be happy? Then how can we balance our busyness so that we can have a happy life?

2 Ways to Stay Happy Even When Busy:

1. Keep Prioritizing God

But I, in righteousness, will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your likeness – Psalm 17:15 

A life filled with busyness but without God in it will feel empty and meaningless. Sooner or later you will grow bored and weary on your own. Trying to make ourselves happy without God will never succeed. Because in the end, we will never be satisfied. 

Not one thing in this world can give us satisfaction. Not wealth, a life partner, or even a successful career.

Satisfaction is found only when we prioritize God. Because God Himself is the One who created your heart . Like a puzzle, He deliberately placed one empty piece in our lives. And that empty piece can only be filled by His presence in your life. In that way you will feel whole and complete in Him.

The fear of God leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. – Proverbs 19:23 

Then, how can God be present in our lives?

Set Aside Time for God

I came that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness – John 10:10b 

Of course, none of us wants merely to live yet feel empty or incomplete. As if something is missing. Jesus said that He not only gives us life, but He also wants us to live it in all its fullness. Or in today's language, “live life to the fullest.”

What about you? Do you not want to live in all the fullness God has promised? I am sure this is the dream of everyone, including myself. 

For that reason, let us strive together to build a relationship with God every day. Set aside time, do not just leave leftover time. Because if it is only leftover time, there may never be any left.

Start making it your goal to have a relationship with God every day. Even if you are busy, keep prioritizing God in your life. Why is this important? Because God is the One who has given us 24 hours in a day. Therefore, let us not be stingy about giving some of our time to God as well.

Here are a few things we can do:

• make time to study God's word, both personally and together with a community that can build up your spiritual life
• pray every day
• be in a spiritual community that can shape, strengthen, and sharpen one another

2. Make Time to Pay Attention to Other People Too

Whoever greatly blesses others will be enriched; whoever gives water will himself be given water – Proverbs 11:25a 

In giving, there is happiness and also blessing. In that verse it is also said that whoever blesses will also be blessed. Therefore, in the midst of your busyness, to remain happy, give time to other people too.

There are many ways to give. You do not have to give material blessings. You can give time, love, attention, words of encouragement, and more. Also, giving is not about how much you have already given. What matters is that it is done with a sincere, loving, willing, and joyful heart. 

Here are some simple things we can do:

• greet people at your workplace with a sincere smile
• help other people who are facing a disaster. For example, by donating basic necessities or food for flood victims
• call a friend who is facing a problem to comfort them
• write an encouraging card for a brother or sister who has guided us, or for someone who is feeling down, sad, or heavily burdened
• send a birthday gift to someone who is celebrating their birthday
• give a Christmas gift hamper to people in our community or others who are in need
• and so on.

Proverbs says that whoever gives generously will be given abundance. Giving reasonably and according to our ability will not harm us. Doing it will not make us poor, lacking, or cause our career path to be hindered. Instead, it is good for our hearts, because God wants us, as fellow human beings, to give to one another. 

Therefore, in the midst of our busyness, let us make time to give and enjoy how beautiful and happy giving is. 

The most dangerous thing about being too busy is that we become selfish people and no longer think about others. All we think about is me and me. And this can steal our sense of happiness. Busy yet still happy is not impossible if we are able to balance it by giving time to God and to others. These two things can help a great deal. 

Let us become people who are not only busy, but productive, wise with time, and also happy. Keep going, we can do it! -  Related Articles:

• How Can We Find Peace in a Fast-Paced World?
• Are Your Life Priorities in the Right Order?
• A Meaningful Life, Can I Have It?
• Recognize the Trap of Toxic Productivity and How to Overcome It
• Busy vs. Productive: Which One Are We?

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