Is God Calling You to a Balanced Life? (10 Insightful Scriptures on Balance in Life)
A pale moon hangs casually above the tree line tonight—like it’s in no hurry and has nothing to prove. I watch its slow ascent toward the heights of inky blackness, and I feel remarkably out of balance. I pull out my Bible in search of encouraging Scriptures on balance as I aim to align myself with God’s perspective.
I feel out of balance because our kids have been sick for weeks. I’ve crossed everything else off the schedule, set aside writing projects, and canceled plans with friends.
Every ounce of energy has gone into caring for their needs. I’m tired, and I need the Lord to speak into this daily grind.
Perhaps you can relate.
Maybe your life feels out of balance, and you’re not sure what to do about it.
Today, we’ll see what God’s Word has to say about pursuing balance. We’ll also have an honest discussion about the idea of a balanced life.
The Balance Scale of Your Life
Imagine your life is represented by a balance scale holding numerous plates. The plates represent the different areas of your life: friendships, family, church, community service, your job, hobbies, and other commitments.
In your mind, a balanced life is achieved by keeping all the plates equally filled.
Much to your frustration, you can’t seem to keep the plates filled in a balanced way.
Your plates might lose their balance for a variety of reasons. Maybe a family member has been diagnosed with a serious illness. You might be facing a recurring mental health struggle, or maybe you just had a baby. Perhaps your boss just enforced mandatory overtime, or your spouse is deployed overseas.
Your inability to balance your plates makes you feel like you’re failing God and failing the people who are getting the smaller portions of your attention.
I spent decades feeling frustrated because I could never seem to find balance. One “big thing” often demanded the majority of my energy. Just when I felt like my plates were equally full, we had another baby, God called me into a new ministry, or I faced a major shift in my career.
God’s Idea of Balance and Scriptures on Balance
Finally, God showed me that his idea of balance is far different from my idea.
God never promised us lives of equally proportioned commitments. He often fills one plate for a season and asks us to give tremendous energy to that one area of life.
You might feel like you’re failing God because you spend every waking moment caring for another person and fall asleep every time you try to pray or open your Bible.
Maybe you spend your days tending to your health, raising your children, or taking care of your spouse, and you feel like your life lacks purpose and outward kingdom focus.
There is a time to assess our priorities and ask God about making changes. He might lead you into a career change or help you radically remake your schedule.
However, if he has given you an assignment you can’t opt out of, this assignment is a God-ordained “full plate” in your life. Aim to do your best to steward the assignment.
Balance isn’t a life of equally filled plates; it’s a life committed to seeking first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.
Balance isn’t a life of equally filled plates; it's a life committed to seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness. #BalancedLife #Balance #encounteringGod Click To Tweet
10 Scriptures on Balance in Life
Let’s look at what the Bible says about balance in life. Here are 10 insightful Scriptures on balance according to God’s perspective.
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
This verse reminds us that God has different purposes for different seasons of our lives. Your life might not feel balanced today, but perhaps you are in a season of extreme giving in some area of your life.
2. Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
When we pursue God first, he takes care of the details in our lives. Compared to seeking God, everything else should be out of balance.
3. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God wants to renew our minds with his Word as we discern his will. God’s will often does not make sense to the world. We need to discern a sense of balance from God, not from what the world tells us.
4. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
We are called to balance in our thought lives. In his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul described how to balance our thoughts and align them with God’s thoughts.
5. Philippians 4:11
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
We find balance when we learn to be content in all situations. Paul wrote these words from prison. He had given up everything for the cause of Christ.
Following Christ often includes a cost. Our lives will not always be free from trouble. Nevertheless, the cost will be worth the reward. Furthermore, when we learn to be content in all situations, we take a giant step toward peace.
6. Mark 6:31
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Jesus will show us how to follow him into balance, just as he showed his disciples when he walked on earth. He cares about our physical needs. We can trust him to provide for us as we pursue him.
7. Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Loving God should tip the balance scales in our lives. Our love for God should be stronger than any other force. When we are driven by God’s love, we can rest assured that we are walking in obedience, even when our lives feel out of balance.
8. Luke 6:12
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
Jesus modeled a lifestyle of extreme commitment to God. He often prayed all night, seeking his face first. He did not model a lifestyle of balance; he modeled a lifestyle of extreme devotion to God.
9. Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Ultimately, we are called to surrender our wills to God’s will. Jesus modeled this before his death on the cross. We align ourselves with God’s will when we obey him first. At times, obedience will lead us away from the world’s idea of balance.
10. Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Lastly, we are to put our whole hearts into everything we do. God will take care of the outcomes.
Let’s reflect on these Scriptures on balance together:
After reading these Scriptures on balance, what is God showing you about the pursuit of balance?
God is not angry with you when you cannot find the energy to invest equal energy into every realm of your life. How does this perspective offer you freedom from guilt and shame?
After quieting yourself with the Lord, spend a few minutes naming every “plate” God has placed in your life. You might write or illustrate these plates in a journal to help you focus. Include every commitment that takes up at least a few hours of your week: housework, your job, volunteer work, friendships, your relationship with God, family, and more.
Which plates seem full, and which plates seem to be lacking in this season?
Does your life feel out of balance?
Ask God what he wants to show you about his plans for you.
Is he calling you to make adjustments, or is he leading you to embrace the arrangement he has placed before you? Let him speak into these commitments and fill you with the peace that comes from knowing you are honoring him with your time and energy.
Lastly, it’s important to note that it’s not wrong to aim for a healthy balance when it comes to self-care, work, relationships, and commitments. However, when we are doing our best to walk with God in all areas of life, we often face times when the world’s idea of balance is hard to find.
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