Whatever your line of work or calling in life, its purpose is all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Work-life balance that glorifies God and protects you and your family from neglect or burnout is doable when we trust in Jesus. He assures us that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26) – even when it doesn’t feel that way.
What is quality time? Your loved ones will know it when they see it! It’s that undistracted, unhurried time spent fully appreciating and supporting each other. It’s time spent on shared activities, good conversation, or just paying attention, listening, and really being there for the people you love.
Quality time and work-life balance won’t look the same for every person or season. Take time to consider your calling, the people who matter to you, your personal definition of work-life balance, and why work-life balance matters.
What does the Bible say about rest?
“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
[Hebrews 4:10 (NIV)]
God spent six days creating the world and rested on the seventh day. He made the land, sea, sun, moon, and stars. He separated night from day. He created everything on the Earth, from plants and animals to people (Genesis 2:20) made in His image. Then He took a break, stepped back, and appreciated the fruits of His labor.
God didn’t rest because He needed to recharge after a supernaturally productive workweek. After all, the Almighty One does not faint or grow weary (Isaiah 40:28). After six days of work, He blessed the seventh day, and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11).
As noted in Mark 2:27, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He set aside a day for us to rest and come together for fellowship and worship.
Pursuing worthy goals at work or after hours can leave us with little time or energy left for what really matters in life. The greatest commandment is to love God and each other (Matthew 22:37-40). Although their work mattered, Christ gently reminded His weary disciples to come away to a quiet place and rest awhile (Mark 6:31).
Why quality time matters: 10 advantages
Why is family important, and what is the meaning of quality time? It isn’t about the quantity of time you spend with others. What matters is that you care enough to take the time and how you spend that time with them. Quality family time can offer these and other priceless advantages:
- Builds durable individual and family bonds
- Develops trust by sharing needs, hopes, dreams, and struggles
- Provides strong role models for your family and others
- Demonstrates mutual affection, appreciation, and care
- Creates memories and traditions that maintain connections for years
- Fosters extended family relationships and community
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and loneliness
- Lightens burdens and shares responsibilities
- Adds a sense of security
- Helps kids build confidence, get better grades, and make smart choices
In addition to quality time with others, spend quality time with Him.
Science-supported quality time goals for Christians
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes work-life balance as attaining a reasonable level of control over occupational and family life. It’s the ability to maintain stability in your work and personal life while managing:
- Self
- Time
- Stress
- Change
- Technology
- Leisure
Achieving work-life balance can be challenging during times of change and stress. Christian counselors have had success with cognitive (thought-based) approaches such as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). It’s based on the premise that we make problems worse by the way we interpret events. Emotions can stem from our beliefs, evaluations, and reactions to situations. In other words, you feel the way you think.
Effective therapies can involve identifying and replacing or reframing irrational beliefs. For example:
- I don’t need everyone’s approval be worthwhile in the eyes of God.
- I can succeed even if I don’t perform every task to perfection.
- I can try, and if I don’t succeed, I’ll learn and resolve to do better next time.
Other effective, evidence-based cognitive therapies can include:
- Exposure to positive, faith-based imagery
- Relaxation training
- Review of Scriptures that dispute dysfunctional views of work and family life
Quality time with God: Leave room for the Spirit!
Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
When phones ring, babies cry, customers complain, bosses demand, plans change, schedules conflict, and messages multiply exponentially, it’s tempting to react in decidedly unvirtuous ways! Instead, take a deep breath, say a prayer, do what you can, and move on.
You’re never alone. Ask for help, and delegate or redirect your goals as needed. God will guide you. He understands our human limitations. He doesn’t expect anyone to do it all, know it all, or have it all. In addition to quality time with others, spend quality time with Him. Call on Him in times of trouble, and He will rescue you (Psalm 50:15).
1 Editor’s note: psychiatric counseling is ineligible for sharing per the CHM Guidelines. Members have access to HealthiestYou, which provides mental health services at fair marketing pricing to the member.
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