#29 - Jesus and I in Busy Times

0:04 Welcome to Mind and Faith Matters. I'm the host, Dr. Cory Potter. Today we're talking about something that many of us face. There are those days, weeks, and even entire seasons when you feel like your life is so full that you can't hardly catch your breath. You may be working long hours, caring for family, or managing responsibilities that really never seem to end. Even when you're organized, the pace can feel relentless. And modern psychology tells us that when you cannot change your circumstances, the best thing you can do is relate them in different ways. So researchers at Stanford have found that people who reframe stressful seasons as opportunities to grow resilience experience lower stress and greater well -being. This is called cognitive reappraisal. It's all well and good, but sometimes it feels overwhelming. Another helpful approach is micro rest. Studies show that even small pauses such as taking those few deep breaths or a short walk or a quiet prayer can reset your body's stress response. These brief moments of slowing down during motion can keep the mind steady and the heart open. You know, value -based living also helps. This means when your schedule is

1:35 packed, aligning your energy with what matters the most to you, it allows you to find meaning in the middle of it. People who focus on purpose over productivity report higher satisfaction, even in difficult seasons. And research reminds us that peace does not come from empty calendars. It really comes from connection. to values, to others, and for believers, to Christ. That is where John 15 provides a spiritual anchor. In John 15 verses 1 through 8, Jesus says, You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you Remain in me as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me I am the vine you are the branches if you remain in me and I in you You will bear much fruit apart from me. You can do nothing If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

3:03 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. So this passage reframes productivity and pressure. Jesus does not say work harder and produce more. He says remain in me. The word remain means to dwell, to stay, to be at home with him. When life feels unmanageable, the call is not to push harder but to stay connected to the source of life. Busyness often makes us feel like a branch trying to bear fruit without the vine. We strive, we plan, and we feel every hour and then wonder why we feel spiritually dry. Jesus reminds us that pruning, even when it's uncomfortable, is part of the Father's care. Sometimes activities or opportunities are removed to help us bear fruit that lasts. This mirrors psychology. Peace comes from connection more than control. You find meaning when you anchor yourself to what truly matters. your relationship with God, your purpose, and the people you are called to love.

4:26 So if you feel overwhelmed, take heart. You don't need to fix everything or empty your calendar before you can rest. Begin by returning to the vine and returning to Christ. When you wake, start your day with a short prayer. Pause for a few deep breaths and remember his presence. End your day by thanking him for the strength he provides. Each pause becomes an act of abiding in him. Each moment of awareness is a small root stretching deeper into his peace. Jesus said, if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. That fruit shows up in patience, gentleness, clarity, and endurance. It shows up in how you treat people when you're tired.

5:25 If your day feels too full, remember that the branch does not produce by effort. It produces through connection. The same is true for you. Remain in me, Jesus, and I will remain in you. That promise is enough for today. I want to tell you that I bring this quick little devotional message to you. After several days where I was thinking how can I enjoy some activities and be so stressed out during others and have this inconsistency in my life and then I reflected further and realized I'm always trying to be connected to Jesus. But sometimes I am cutting myself off and not remaining in him throughout those busy times. What I mean by that is it struck me yesterday morning on my way to work when I saw a sunrise that was so beautiful. I even was on the phone with my wife Sue and I told her, man, this is spectacular. It's so pretty and it just reminded me that God was with me. on my way into work and I have a great place that I work with great people and I have a lot of projects and I have felt maybe under peaceful

6:58 and overwhelmed and I'm realizing that I'm not taking the same things that I just prescribed to you and so I need to take my own medicine sometimes but I also want to say that a fully balanced life means sometimes you have to say no, sometimes you do have to slow down. And even if you have these hectic days or a hectic pace, I know because I've studied it and I know because I've experienced it, but your sleep, your nutrition, and your rest really are critical. So, I have talked about the Sabbath and other episodes.

7:44 I've talked about resting in Jesus and slowing down life. There are other episodes where I've talked about gratitude and just being thankful for what you have and thankful for Him. Those apply in this case, but when life is so hectic that you feel like your head is spinning. And it keeps on going like that. I promise you, you will not be disappointed in finding Him and reaching out to Him and getting deeper roots with Him.

8:25 So if your days feel too full, like I said, remember the branch doesn't produce by effort. It produces through connection to Jesus. The same is true for you. Remain in Jesus and He will remain in you. The promise is enough for today. Thank you for being with me on Mind and Faith Matters. Until next time, stay rooted in your faith and mindful of Jesus' presence. God bless.