Overthinking Things

 

    I had to laugh at the meme, "Hang on. Let me overthink this," as I spend entirely too much time, energy, and emotions overthinking things. I have reminders around my home to "keep it simple," yet I dive head first into over-planning and overthinking what could, could not, or might happen and what I should do about it. 

    One thing I often overthink is whether or not I am doing the work of God. Am I in His will? Is this what He has planned for my life? Or have I gone off on my own agenda? John 6:28-29 (NIV) is a wonderful reminder of how simple Jesus wanted his followers to live, "Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent'." Just believe in Jesus Christ and you've accomplished the works of God! Seems too simple, right?

    So it would seem that poet, Henry David Thoreau, had it correct when he said, "Our life is frittered away by detail...simplify, simplify." The Bible has quote after quote about the simple, but it infers that those people are simpletons, uninformed and ignorant. Proverbs 9:6 explains it this way, "Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight." 

    Here in lies the conundrum, keep it simple, but not too simple. What does that look like? As noted above, "believe in the one he has sent," don't overthink your part in the big picture, and always remember you have a supporting role, not the lead. Then, "always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NIV). 

    God keeps it simple, because He knows we can be simple at times. Here's what He wants us to think about, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV). 

    Don't overthink, think over whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, then put what you have learned from God's word into practice and you can reside with God. Now that is something worth thinking about!