Hey there, friend! Let’s talk about something we all wish we had more of—time. Whether you’re grinding at work, catching up with friends, or trying to figure out how to make more time for God, life can feel like a whirlwind. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to juggle it all alone. Let’s dive into some practical ways to master time management and find balance in our busy lives.
Why Time Management Matters
Time management isn’t just about ticking off your to-do list. It’s about creating space for what truly matters: your faith, relationships, and personal growth. In Ephesians 5:16, we’re reminded to “make the most of every opportunity” because our time is precious.
Life feels chaotic when we’re constantly rushing, doesn’t it? But when we learn to manage our time well, we can focus on the things God has called us to—without feeling like we’re drowning in responsibilities.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Managing Time Together
If you’re in a relationship or sharing life with roommates or family, managing time as a team can be a game-changer. Here’s how:
Weekly Check-Ins: Take 15-20 minutes each week to chat about priorities and schedules. What’s coming up? What’s important to each person?
Example: You might find out your partner has a big work deadline the same week you’ve got a church volunteer event. Knowing this helps you support each other.
Shared Digital Calendars: Tools like Google Calendar can be your best friend. Color-code it for work, church, family, and personal time to stay in sync. Bonus: fewer “I forgot” moments!
Plan Together: Whether it’s grocery runs or attending Bible study, tackling tasks as a team can save time and make mundane chores more fun.
Creating Space for Quality Time
Here’s a little truth bomb: If you don’t schedule quality time, it probably won’t happen. Life is busy, but the relationships you value deserve intentionality.
Date Nights and Family Time: Whether it’s a fancy dinner, a Netflix night, or a board game marathon, block it off in your calendar like a non-negotiable meeting.
Sabbath Moments: Even God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Take time to recharge and be present with loved ones. A Sunday afternoon walk or post-church brunch can do wonders for your soul.
Mini-Customs: These don’t have to be grand. How about praying together before bed or having a 10-minute coffee check-in each morning? It’s the little things that build connection.
Let’s Talk Priorities
We’ve all been there—scrolling TikTok for “5 minutes” that somehow turns into an hour. The struggle is real. But the key to time management is figuring out what matters most and sticking to it.
Start Your Day With God: Begin your morning with prayer or a devotional. It doesn’t have to be long—just a few minutes to center your heart and mind. Matthew 6:33 says to “seek first His kingdom,” and everything else will fall into place.
Say ‘No’ Sometimes: This one’s hard, but you can’t do everything. When you say no to things that drain you, you’re saying yes to what fills you up.
Batch Tasks: Group similar tasks together. Need to reply to emails, meal prep, or run errands? Knock them out in one focused chunk to save mental energy.
When You Feel Overwhelmed
Life gets overwhelming—we all know that feeling of being stretched too thin. But here’s a reminder: You’re not alone. Lean on God’s strength and His promises. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious but to pray about everything. And don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from a friend or your church community.
Final Thoughts: Balance is a Journey
Finding balance isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about progress. Some weeks you’ll nail it; others will be a mess—and that’s okay. What matters is showing up and giving your best to the things that matter most.
So, let’s stop glorifying “busy” and start prioritizing what brings joy, peace, and purpose to our lives. Whether it’s blocking off time for Bible study, planning a surprise date, or just taking a moment to breathe, you’ve got this. And if you don’t, God’s got you.
Top 56 Valuable Lessons from The 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer – Part 2
The Marriage of Dave and Joyce Meyer has been for over 56 years. In their Video, Talk It Out, they share candidly about the highs and lows of their journey together. Joyce notes early on in their 5-date courtship, they didn’t truly know each other. Yet through divine intervention, they found themselves bonded for life.
Based on this conversation with celebrated life coach and bestselling author Joyce Meyer and her husband Dave, here are some Valuable Lessons from The 56-Year Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer. This is Part 2. Read Part 1 Here.
Forgiving Quickly to Avoid Strife.
29. Satan wants strife but God wants peace. Joyce shares how realizing this, and refusing to get offended has helped. Forgiving and letting things go is key to avoiding discord.
30. Joyce and Dave warn against expecting overnight fixes. Trials often intensify before peace emerges, so persevering shows faith in God’s unseen hand at work.
31. The key is learning to accommodate each other. For example, while Dave may think Joyce’s processing style is “just wasted breath,” refraining from dismissive comments and listening respectfully goes a long way. Likewise, Joyce can try viewing situations from her husband’s logical perspective, even if she needs further discussion.
32. With patience and compromise, couples can diffuse tensions simply by acknowledging how their brains work differently.
33. Holding onto offenses is one of the surest ways to damage a marriage.
34. Joyce shared how she struggled with this early in her relationship with Dave but realized harboring resentment only benefits the devil.
35. The sooner spouses forgive small slights and absorb the word of love from First Corinthians 13, the smoother their union will go. “Love keeps no record of wrongs” is a radical concept in relationships but brings tremendous peace when applied.
36. Forgiveness also requires making a daily choice not to dwell on past hurts.
37. As Joyce said, the more one ruminates on offenses, the deeper the roots of bitterness take hold. But nipping issues in the bud through quick forgiveness keeps relationships clean and harmony intact. This helped the Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer a lot.
38. With practice, this can become second nature for even the most sensitive partners. Remember – it’s not about condoning bad actions but releasing the right to retaliate so love can reign free.
Seeing the Best in Each Other.
39. Dave lets Joyce be herself fully. Joyce has learned to see Dave’s logic as balancing her emotions, not opposing her. They’ve found humor in each other instead of aggravation.
40. Beyond communication gaps, every couple has their endearing idiosyncrasies that can push buttons if left unchecked. The Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer indeed is a great inspiration across the world.
41. Joyce humorously pointed out little habits of Dave’s, like noisily eating cereal or purposefully banging dishes louder when irritated, that get under her skin. However, she realized God made them with these distinct traits intentionally, perhaps for their own amusement.
42. We must appreciate our spouses as whole individuals rather than demanding they change harmless peculiarities.
Prioritizing Safety in Toxic Situations
43. While God hates divorce, abuse is never okay. If danger exists, safety comes first by distancing oneself until help is found. Otherwise, prayer and God’s guidance are vital.
44. While the above advice focuses on minor marital tensions, dangerously toxic relationships require a different approach to prioritizing safety.
45. Joyce rightly cautioned those in abusive situations to remove themselves and children from harm’s way, as God never intended endangerment. Additionally, prayerfully considering counseling or legal protection may become necessary steps of wisdom.
46. The role of prayer cannot be overstated even in these dire circumstances.
47. Communing continuously with Christ brings His empowerment, perspective, and discernment for the next steps.
48. Rather than facing challenges alone in one’s strength, total reliance on God’s guidance through Scripture and stillness lifts the heavy burden.
49. His perfect love casts out all fear as His plan and protection unfold. With His intervention, seemingly impossible problems dissolve. Love is a constant factor in the Marriage of Joyce and Dave Meyer.
Applying God’s Love.
50. Focusing on patience, kindness, and protecting the relationship helps. Seeing each other through God’s loving eyes transforms perspectives.
51. His Word shows us how to think of our spouse and ourselves.
52. Joyce emphasized consistently seeking God first in all matters, from minor annoyances to profound crises.
53. His love far surpasses any human love and fills what is lacking when spouses apply it through obedience, prayer, and wisdom
54. Together with Dave for decades, she stands as proof of the peace and joy available when Christ forms the foundation of a union.
55. With His help, couples can rise above natural tendencies to impatience, resentment, or control
56. In summarizing this discussion on marriage, the key lessons are to go into marriage with clear communication about expectations, to accept your spouse for who they are rather than trying to change them, and to rely on God’s wisdom in navigating disagreements and difficult seasons
Conclusion
While differences will arise, focusing on each other’s positive qualities and prioritizing individual responsibility for happiness can help strengthen the bond. With patience, compromise when needed, and a commitment to a lifelong partnership, a marriage has the potential to grow deeper in love and understanding over decades.
