Quiet time. Set aside time each day for solitude. Many
experts1 recommend an hour of time spent in prayer, meditation,
quiet reflection, reading, journaling, etc. Don't feel overwhelmed by this!
Start out with 15 minutes a day, during which it is just you and God doing something
together in a quiet, peaceful place. While not an hour, at least a quarter of
one will give you some of the strength and peace you will need the rest of your
day, or if you chose evening devotions, you will rest better!
 Are you T.I.R.E.D.? Check yourself for these warning
signs, easy to remember in this acronymn: T.I.R.E.D. T-Temper (are you unusually
short-tempered?); I-Irritable (does every little thing irritate you?); R-Restless
(can't seem to focus on tasks at hand, your multitasking ability on the blink?);
E-Exhausted (do you fall into bed exhausted, only to find that once you're there
your brain won't shut off?); D-Depressed/Discouraged (do you have feelings of
self-doubt, low self-worth, etc.?). If you find that you are T.I.R.E.D. more
often than not, time for a noise check. Figure out what is causing you to suffer
with these symptoms, and prayerfully work on solutions.2
Cut it out. You may have to say no to others occasionally
in order to get your life on an even keel. It's OK to take some "God and
me time" (and some "me time" too!). Remember, you still have
responsibilities (this is not permission to shirk them), but even Christ took
a nap once in a while.
Have kids, will pray. Start your children's day out right
with worship. Please, don't make it boring or too long. Worship doesn't always
have to be exciting, but it should be informative and interesting. Imagining
what heaven will be like, singing a favorite song, and learning the story behind
its creation are things that can be enlightening and fun. And remember: quality
time with the kids in prayer each morning is better than quantity.
Pray without ceasing. Not just a great Bible text: it
really works. When you feel like things are getting too loud and your blood
pressure is going up, pray! When you are thankful for a sunny day or gentle
breeze, pray! When you receive difficult news, pray! When your spouse does something
nice for you, pray! Prayer works wonders in noise reduction and in the
many other areas of life.
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1 These include physicians, psychologists, self-help gurus,
pastors, parents, friends--valid recommendations for daily meditative time can
be found on bookshelves in stores worldwide and in conversations with those
close to you.
2 If problems are persistent and severe, a solution may be to seek professional
help from a Christian counselor.
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