61 | Life Balance Breakthrough: Can Small Shifts Truly Create Big Impact?

Small changes can create massive transformation in your faith journey. Isn't it remarkable how tiny shifts in our daily routines can completely realign our spiritual connection? This profound truth lies at the heart of Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28 where He beckons, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

The journey to meaningful spiritual practices doesn't require monumental overhauls. Even as someone who served two congregations while attending seminary, I discovered that consistent devotional time wasn't about perfection—it was about grace-filled progress through intentional micro-shifts. Whether it's incorporating a morning prayer ritual enhanced with the clarity-promoting properties of lemon essential oil, or creating evening wind-down routines with calming scents like lavender and cedarwood, these small adjustments synchronize our lives with God's natural rhythms.

Living intentionally means making conscious choices aligned with our faith values, setting daily intentions that guide our decisions and interactions. Try this week's affirmation: "I trust in God's perfect design for my life and find peace in His sustaining presence." Write it down, save it on your phone, and watch how this simple practice ripples through your thoughts and actions. Remember that establishing healthy boundaries isn't selfish—it's essential for sustainable ministry and authentic presence. By implementing these small, consistent shifts and connecting with our supportive community of like-minded women, you'll discover a transformed relationship with God built on peace rather than perfection. 

Visit BiblicalBoundariesForWomen.com to join our community of women committed to living purposefully in Christ.

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Episode Transcript

Paula Behrens (00:01):
Have you ever wondered how tiny tweaks can
transform your life in a big way?
Or are you curious about littlehabits that pack a powerful
punch?
Listen in now to discover howsmall changes can lead to a
major impact in your world, aswe center ourselves on Jesus'
invitation, "Come to Me and IWill Give you Rest.
"Are you finding it challenging

(00:23):
to maintain your spiritualpractices or yearning for a more
peaceful, God-aligned day?
I'm Paula and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I long for a deeper connectionwith God, but struggle with
consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,

(00:43):
this podcast is for you.
Before we get started, I'd liketo give a shout out to NJ Dancer
Chick.
She writes, "It's so easy toget distracted and lose focus on
reading Bible passages whenthere's so much going on in life
.
This podcast helps you to justlisten and focus on the message.
It's like an audio book fordevotionals.

(01:06):
Great for busy moms on the go.
" Thank you, what a great reviewNJ Dancer Chick.
Thank you so much for that.
If you'd like to leave a review, we'd truly appreciate it.
On Apple Podcasts, simplyscroll down to the five-star
rating section and click onleave a review.
If you're using a PC, open theiTunes app and you'll find the

(01:27):
link near the top.
Share your thoughts with ustoday and your review could be
showcased on one of our upcomingepisodes.
What a joy it is for me to hearfrom our listeners.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized.
But, truth be told, there weremornings I could barely find

(01:51):
five minutes to catch my breath,let alone dive into deep
reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I
realized that even in my chaosthere was a lesson, we're all
just doing our best in thisjourney of faith, a beautiful
work in progress.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized

(02:11):
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Hey sister, do you want to comeand hang out with a group of
faith-filled women who are on amission to maintain consistent
spiritual practices so that theytoo can be a guiding light for
Jesus?
In our group, you'll get tipsthat will transform your
devotional routines into fun andjoy-filled moments, plus early

(02:36):
bird access to special offers,and the best part is that you
can ask your questions insidethe community.
Come joinBiblicalBoundariesForWomen.
com (no spaces).
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal and cozy up to your
favorite beverage and let's divein.

(02:58):
A while back, I decided to startmaking small, intentional
shifts in my prayer routine.
But instead of feelingoverwhelmed by trying to
overhaul my entire spiritualpractice, I focused on tweaking
one small thing at a time.
One morning, after weeks ofthese gradual changes, something
remarkable happened.
As I sat in silence, prayingand reflecting, I felt a

(03:19):
profound sense of clarity washover me.
It was as if God was speakingdirectly to my heart.
The message was clear.
I was to help other Christianwomen design their own unique
devotional routines tailored totheir individual schedules and
lifestyles.
This revelation was eye-opening, as I realized that, just as I
had found success in makingsmall shifts in my own spiritual

(03:42):
routine, I could now empowerother women to do the same.
Since that transformativemoment, I've been dedicated to
sharing this message with asmany women as possible.
If you've been struggling tofind a devotional practice that
feels just right for you, I'dlove to help.
So let's take that first steptogether and see where it leads.
To learn more, visit my website, PaulaBehrens.

(04:03):
com.
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S dot com.
Today, we will be delving intothe profound concept of how
small shifts can make a bigimpact, which is so beautifully
encapsulated in Matthew 11.

(04:24):
28, where Jesus beckons, "Cometo me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give yourest.
" Now this verse is calling usinto a spiritual rest through
faith in Christ, we know that.
But when we go a little deeper,we see that it's also calling
us to a holistic type of rest,urging us to care for ourselves,

(04:47):
physically and emotionally too.
It's about aligning with thenatural rhythms our Creator has
set within us, ensuring ourwell-being in every facet of
life.
So grab your favorite essentialoil, perhaps a blend called
Peace and Calming, or the woodsyaroma of Frankincense, and let
its soothing properties be yourcompanion as we embark on this

(05:10):
journey of transformationthrough small, intentional
shifts.
Okay, so Jesus extends thisbeautiful invitation to rest,
not just any rest, but his rest.
It's a rest that surpassesworldly understanding, embracing
both the spiritual and thetangible aspects of life.

(05:31):
While we often rush throughour days, fueled by
responsibilities and endlessto-do lists, it's vital to pause
and remind ourselves that restis equally important.
This divine rest invites us tolay our burdens at his feet,
finding solace and rejuvenationin his presence.

(05:52):
Now, when you breathe in thenatural essence of an essential
oil like Peace and Calming,visualize that same peace
filling your entire being,allowing you to unwind and reset
.
God designed our bodies in sucha wondrous way, with built-in
rhythms and cycles meant toguide us.

(06:13):
From our circadian rhythms toseasonal changes, these natural
rhythms are part of his perfectdesign.
Yet in today's fast-paced world,we often find ourselves out of
sync, leading to stress andfatigue.
Making small adjustments toreconnect with these rhythms can
bring about big changes.
Consider how you start and endyour day.

(06:36):
Morning routines that involveprayer, reflection and perhaps a
drop of Young Living's LemonEssential Oil in your water can
be invigorating.
This small shift sets a tone ofclarity and intention.
In the evening, transitioningwith oils like Cedarwood or
Lavender can signal your bodythat it's time to relax and

(06:57):
prepare for rest.
Regular exercise, a balanceddiet and restful sleep are
foundational, but it's not justabout the physical.
Our emotional well-being isequally important.
Implementing short moments ofmindfulness through prayer or
meditation with oils like StressAway can be transformative.
This shift in perspective canpermeate every area of our lives

(07:21):
Each day, take time to reflecton the blessings around you and,
as you do so, use affirmationsto reinforce a positive mindset.
This week, let our affirmationbe, "I trust in God's perfect
design for my life and findpeace in his sustaining presence
.
" Repeat it after me right now,I trust in God's perfect design

(07:45):
for my life and find peace inhis sustaining presence.
Write this affirmation down,add it to your phone notes and
read it out loud often.
Let it ripple through your week, nurturing your spirit and
aligning your thoughts withdivine intent.
Okay, so here it is again, justin case you couldn't find a

(08:09):
pencil the first time.
I trust in God's perfect designfor my life and find peace in
his sustaining presence.
Consider the small changes youcan make.
Perhaps it's adding a positiveaffirmation to your daily
routine, choosing to pause andpray before starting an

(08:32):
overwhelming task or using afocus enhancing essential oil
like Peppermint during study orwork sessions.
Implement tiny habits likewalking in nature, journaling
your thoughts or simply takingdeep breaths.
These seemingly small actionscan have a broad impact on your
peace and productivity.

(08:57):
Try it.
I think you'll be amazed.
Moving on.
Absolutely crucial to livingpurposefully in Christ is
establishing a network orcommunity that can support and
uplift you.
Engage with others in yourchurch, social groups or online
communities to drawencouragement from each other.
The sense of belonging and ashared purpose can help make
those small shifts permanentshifts.

(09:17):
Our Facebook community oflike-minded women can also be an
excellent resource for learningand sharing how others
incorporate these practices intotheir daily lives.
Go toBiblicalBoundariesForWomen.
com to join.
One more thing let's focus onintention.
Living intentionally meansmaking conscious choices that

(09:39):
align with our values and faith.
It means being present in eachmoment, listening to our hearts
and tuning into what God iscommunicating to us, beyond the
noise and distractions.
Setting an intention each dayor week is a powerful practice
that can influence your thoughtsand what you do.
This process involves taking amoment of reflection.

(10:00):
Think of your intention as aguiding light, helping you
navigate through the choices andchallenges that each day brings
.
Start by identifying what istruly important to you, whether
it's cultivating patience,radiating joy or spreading
kindness.
Once you've determined yourintention, allow it to shape

(10:21):
your interactions and decisions.
This acts as a personal roadmapthat aligns your daily
activities with your deeperbeliefs and aspirations.
For example, if your intentionis to express thankfulness more
frequently.
It could lead you to appreciatethe small wins, acknowledge the
efforts of others or even keepa gratitude journal.

(10:44):
By integrating this intentioninto your day-to-day life, you
create tangible expressions offaith and purpose.
Additionally, revisiting yourintentions often can be
incredibly empowering.
At the end of the day or theweek, reflect on how your
intention influenced youractions and your thoughts.
This reflection can provideinsights into your personal

(11:05):
growth in areas where you'd liketo channel more energy.
Overall, setting an intentionis not about achieving
perfection, but about beingmindful and deliberate in how
you wish to live your life.
It's a commitment to honoringyour values and striving to
embody them in everything you do.
Small changes can make a bigimpact on our overall life

(11:29):
balance.
Here are a few more things toconsider.
One, taking time for yourselfisn't selfish.
It's essential.
Whether it's a five-minutemorning meditation or a short
walk during lunch, these smallacts nurture your well-being and
recharge your spirit.
Two, clearly defining when workends and personal time begins

(11:52):
can prevent burnout and ensureyou're present in each moment.
Simple boundaries, like turningoff work notifications after
hours can significantly enhanceyour personal time quality.
Three, identify your corevalues and align daily
activities to reflect what trulymatters to you.

(12:14):
This might mean saying no tocommitments that don't serve you
or delegating tasks that otherscan handle.
And remember that life isunpredictable and maintaining
balance often requiresadaptability.
The journey to achieving lifebalance is personal and ongoing,
but with mindful choices, youcan create a life that resonates

(12:38):
with joy and purpose.
Remember, even the smalleststep toward balance can lead to
a profound transformation inyour life.
Okay, so let's tie it alltogether.
Today, we focused on the peaceand balance we can achieve by
making intentional, minoradjustments in our lives.
Anchored in the wisdom ofMatthew 11.

(13:00):
28, where Jesus offers rest tothe weary, we discussed how this
divine invitation is not onlyspiritual but also encompasses a
holistic approach to well-being.
We delved into the importanceof aligning with our natural
rhythms, emphasizing the need tosynchronize our routines with
our body's internal cycles.
By integrating small practices,like using a drop of Lemon

(13:23):
essential oil in our morningwater or setting the tone to
rest with calming aromas in theevening, we can create a
nurturing environment thatsupports both physical and
emotional health.
Caring for our bodies throughbalanced nutrition, regular
exercise and sufficient sleep iscrucial, but so is tending to
our emotional and spiritualneeds.

(13:44):
Incorporating moments ofmindfulness, prayer or
meditation, supported by aromasthat promote calm, helps in
maintaining emotional stability.
Gratitude and positiveaffirmations were highlighted as
powerful tools in shiftingmindsets towards a more
purposeful and fulfilled life.

(14:04):
This week's affirmation, "Itrust in God's perfect design
for my life and find peace inhis sustaining presence," serves
as a reminder to remainanchored in faith and cultivate
a spirit of thankfulness.
We embraced the idea thatprioritizing self-care isn't an
act of selfishness and that it'scrucial to clearly define where

(14:27):
work concludes and personaltime begins, as well as ensuring
that our daily activities alignwith what truly matters to us.
Moreover, we discussed howsetting an intention each day or
week can be a powerful practicethat shapes our mindset and
guides our actions.
Life balance is the harmoniousalignment between the various

(14:48):
aspects of our day, such as work, family, personal time and
self-care.
But achieving a balanced lifedoesn't mean everything gets
equal time, but rather that wefeel content and fulfilled with
how we allocate our energy todifferent areas.
In our fast-paced world, it'seasy to become overwhelmed as we

(15:09):
try to juggle multipleresponsibilities.
However, as noted earlier, lifebalance is not about striving
for perfection.
It's about making consciouschoices that pave the way for
greater satisfaction andwell-being.
As we wrap up today's episode,let's remember that the journey
to impactful living doesn'trequire grand gestures.

(15:31):
Often it's the sum of small,consistent actions that lead to
meaningful change.
By embracing rest in Christ,aligning with our natural
rhythms and making intentionalchoices in our daily lives, we
position ourselves to receiveHis abundant peace.
Thank you for tuning in todayand remember, just like setting

(15:52):
biblical boundaries, it's okayto say no to things that don't
serve you well, like that thirdpiece of cake at the church
potluck.
If you enjoyed this episode, wewould truly appreciate it if
you would take just a fewmoments to follow the show and
leave a review.
Also, don't forget to become apart of our community on
Facebook atBiblicalBoundariesForWomen.

(16:13):
com (no spaces).
Be sure to check the show notesfor all the links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then, keep leaning intoHim and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.