BALANCING FAITH AND RESPONSIBILITIES: HONORING GOD IN WORK, SCHOOL AND LIFE-PART 1

In the whirlwind of deadlines, exams, work and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to feel like your faith is taking a backseat. But what if honoring God wasn’t just a Sunday thing? What if it could be the heartbeat of your work, school, and everyday life? Balancing faith with responsibilities isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose. By putting God at the center, you can navigate the chaos with grace, shine His light in every corner of your life, and discover a peace that goes beyond the grind. Ready to thrive where you are? Let’s delve in! We would be looking at this through the lenses of the amazing and beautiful ladies of the Loved platoon. However, as each of our contributors has shared, it is possible to keep God at the center while managing responsibilities. This journey looks different for everyone, but the common thread is “intentionality,” making conscious decisions to prioritize faith while excelling in every other area of life.

Fortune’s  Perspective: Finding Harmony Through Planning and Prioritization.

Balancing faith, school, and work life can feel overwhelming at times, but I’ve realized that with intentional time management, I can create harmony between my responsibilities and personal values. For me, planning is key. I use a calendar to map out my week, making sure I set aside time for school, work, and, most importantly, my spiritual life. Honoring God isn’t just another task on my to-do list; it’s the foundation that keeps everything else in order. Every day, I dedicate time to prayer and reflection. Whether it’s a few minutes in the morning or a longer devotion at night, these moments keep me grounded. School is demanding, and deadlines don’t wait, so I prioritize my tasks by importance. I’ve also learnt that saying no is necessary sometimes. Overcommitting only leads to burnout, and I can’t be my best self if I’m drained. At the end of the day, balancing everything is about intentionality. When I put God first, everything else falls into place.

Temitope’s Perspective: Making God the Center of My Life.

Life can get overwhelmingly busy, and I’ve been guilty of unintentionally pushing God to the side. But the truth is, I was created to worship and honor Him.

Isaiah 43:7: “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” (NKJV)

Every aspect of my life, including my work and decisions, should reflect my faith. I recall setting a goal to read the entire Bible in a year. Although I started strong, my consistency waned as life got in the way. However, everything changed when I joined a group of women committed to daily Bible reading. Their encouragement kept me accountable, and that group became a pivotal part of my faith journey. Now, I prioritize my morning Bible reading, and if I miss it, I listen to the audio Bible on my commute. Consistency in God’s Word has become crucial, equipping me to handle life’s challenges with wisdom and grace. The more I study the Word of God, the more it reflects in my attitude, decision-making, and interactions with others. Honoring God isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about making the daily choice to put Him first. By prioritizing my relationship with God, I’ve experienced a more profound sense of purpose, peace, and direction in my life. I’ve learnt to trust in His goodness, even when life doesn’t make sense. And I’ve discovered that the more I seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to me.

Dami’s Perspective: Living a Life That Reflects Christ.

For a long time, I treated faith as just one part of my life, like a subject I studied or a task I checked off my list. Now, I’ve realized that honoring God means letting Him influence every area of my life. I like to think of life as a layered cake; the different layers represent work, school, relationships, and personal goals, but what brings it all together is the filling. If Christ is the filling, He touches every part, giving it meaning and purpose. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that honoring God requires discipline, not just emotions. There are days when I don’t feel like praying or reading my Bible; I do it anyway because I know consistency matters. I’ve also started being more mindful of how I spend my time. Instead of scrolling endlessly on social media, I set limits and use that time to rest or focus on my spiritual growth. I won’t pretend I have it all figured out. Balancing faith with my responsibilities is a constant learning process, but I know that when I keep Christ at the center, I’m on the right path.

Seyi’s Perspective: Trusting God’s Timing and Avoiding Comparison.

Sometimes, I wonder why it’s so easy to have faith in myself but difficult to have faith in God. I make plans, set goals, and trust that I’ll achieve them; but when God asks me to trust Him, I hesitate.

Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I’ve learnt that balancing faith with my responsibilities means trusting that God is working, even when I don’t see immediate results. One thing that has helped me is prayer and thanksgiving. When I pray, I ask God for what I need, and I also thank Him in advance, believing that He will provide. Another key lesson I have learnt is patience. Sometimes, waiting on God feels frustrating, but I remind myself that His timing is always perfect. Every time I’ve tried to rush ahead, I have made mistakes. I’ve also learnt not to compare myself to others. Everyone’s journey is different, and I refuse to put unnecessary pressure on myself just because someone else seems to be progressing faster. Instead, I focus on what God is doing in my life and trust that He knows what’s best for me.

From dedication to planning and prioritization, to commitment to making God the center to lessons on discipline and to trusting in God’s perfect timing, one thing is clear: Honoring God isn’t just something we squeeze into our schedules; it’s the foundation that holds everything together. Beyond our routines and responsibilities, truly honoring Him means standing firm in our values, relying on His strength when ours falls short, and reflecting His love in the way we live, work, and interact with others.