Activity Addiction

[Guest post from Mark Teats. Good insights on a touchy subject.]

For me to say my life is full of activity may seem like a strange statement.  It may seem to be an obvious and positive statement. After all, wouldn’t we rather be busy and able to be active than not? Yes, of course we would, but there is a problem when our activity is stealing time we should be spending with God.

Recently I read the term “activity addiction” and it caused me to think about how this might be true for me.  Anything can become an addiction, even good things.  In the last few years, we have seen an increase in less workers, but higher demand. Job stress and burnout are increasing. Economic times have forced many to extend the time until retirement.  Activity addiction seems to affect us all.  And I’ll admit it—I am addicted to activity.

A dictionary definition of Addiction:

The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

It begins with a habit and then morphs into an addiction. An addiction then becomes mentally and/or physically so much a part of us that it is traumatic to stop. Are you addicted to activity? Can you slow down, relax and spend time listening to the Lord speak to you? Or are various and many activities crowding out God?

Certainly our busy lives are full of activity; however, good things can become addictions too. I’m not talking about being lazy or irresponsible.   I’m talking about priorities. Someone once told a friend of mine that he was really busy. His reply was that he would slow down when he got to heaven.  Hmm.  Rest did not seem to be part of his life.

What are some of the side effects of activity addiction?  Here are a few: worry, fear, fatigue, stress, preoccupation, pressure to keep up or perform, disrupted sleep patterns, and health issues. Could it be that to take a vacation and rest is so desirable because it is a temporary fix to the activity-driven life?  Do you ever feel you are reacting to the urgent so much that you don’t have much time for the important?

For many of us, slowing down and finding time to spend with God is not easy. Being busy is almost easier because there is always more to do.

So what is the best solution? God asks us to slow down and spend time with Him.  To rest.  To stop worrying. To be calm, and to sleep well.  To enjoy life and an inner peace. Check out these words from Jesus.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 (ESV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25 & 33 (ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Perhaps it’s time to sit back and relax in the peace and presence of Jesus. I suggest opening your Bible to some specific passages, or reading a daily devotional book.  Then stop and listen. What do you hear?

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” Isaiah 20:12 (ESV)

Peace be with you!

~Mark