Achieving Life Balance: Biblical Wisdom and Lessons from Nature

frustrated person trying to work and not achieving life balance

Can We Achieve Life Balance? Lessons from Nature and Biblical Wisdom

Is it possible to balance life, work, and everything else? Achieving life balance is a high-ranking concern on Google, with many searching for ways to achieve harmony. But who needs balance in their life? According to statistics, 69% of employees are actively seeking solutions for an unbalanced lifestyle. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 76% of people acknowledge work-life imbalance. Despite this, most of us strive toward balance but fail to find it.

The Out-of-Balance Life

Work-life imbalance increases stress, as highlighted by the APA. Wellness advocates agree that balance is key to overall well-being. Wellness isn’t just about physical health; it involves cultivating habits that promote well-being in all aspects of life, including work, rest, and relationships. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness industry is worth $4.5 trillion, with balance being a critical component of this wellness.

If balance is so crucial, how do we achieve life balance? trying to achieve wellness and trying to achieve balance

What We Can Learn from Trees About Life Balance

Nature provides powerful examples of balance. Consider the oak tree, which produces acorns that sprout future trees and serve as food for wildlife. A mature oak starts producing acorns around age twenty and is most productive between its 50th and 80th years. It takes time for the oak to produce a new crop of acorns, beginning in spring and finishing by fall.

  • Lesson from the oak tree: I can’t do everything at once. Life balance takes time, and productivity ebbs and flows with seasons.

The sugar maple is another example. If you want maple syrup, you must plant the tree and wait. A maple tree takes 40 years to grow large enough to be tapped for syrup, and its production varies year by year depending on its environment and the previous growing season.

  • Lesson from the maple tree: Our environment affects life balance. What worked for someone else may not work for me because our circumstances are different.

Lastly, the tulip poplar outside my window has shifted from summer’s green to autumn’s gold. Its leaves are falling, preparing the tree for winter. The trees follow the seasons, dictated by the weather.

  • Lesson from the tulip poplar: Balance is about adjusting our mindset to follow the seasons rather than stressing over an out-of-balance life. Adjust and achieve life balance.

Nature is repetitive and seasonal, and establishing routines and patterns in our daily lives can help us maintain balance. lessons from the oak tree

Wisdom from King Solomon

King Solomon, known for his wisdom, reigned over Israel from 970 to 931 BCE. His insights, recorded in the Bible, provide timeless principles for achieving balance.

  • Solomon on timing: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
  • Solomon on contentment: “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)
  • Solomon on life’s purpose: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Changing Our Mindset for Life Balance

If we combine nature’s lessons with Solomon’s wisdom, we can conclude that life balance is best achieved by viewing our lives in seasons, not as daily or weekly tasks. I’m currently in the sandwich generation—caring for an elderly parent while raising my children. Many of you may be in different seasons: studying, raising young children, or working full time. Whatever season you’re in, it’s important to embrace it rather than stress over imbalance.

Like the oak tree producing acorns, I know I’m only in this season for a time. Solomon’s wisdom reminds me that my work comes from God, and when I embrace my responsibilities, I find contentment.

  • Instead of stressing over imbalance, embrace it. Find satisfaction in the work God has given you, and seek His wisdom. When we follow God’s plan for our lives, we find contentment and reduce stress. Balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about trusting God’s direction.

happiness and contentment

Looking Toward Future Seasons

As we move into the busy months of October, November, and December, filled with buying, eating, visiting, and traveling, I pray that we avoid stress. I hope we celebrate the time we have with loved ones, enjoying the work and the rest. But most of all, I pray we recognize God as the source of wisdom, peace, and the planner of our days.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

ADD IT UP: Achieve Life Balance

Tally how you spend your time each week. You have 168 hours to balance. Where can you shift focus to prioritize what matters most?

  • Time with God
  • Work
  • Sleep
  • Eating/Drinking
  • Cooking
  • Driving
  • Self-Care
  • Caring for others
  • Exercising
  • Entertainment/Socializing
  • Housework
  • Errands/Appointments
  • Unplanned Tasks
  • Unproductive Activities

Achieving life balance is best done through bible study and prayer

Terri Kelly

A former teacher turned writer, Terri B. Kelly, is the mother of two grown children and lives with her husband plus one sweet pug in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Visit her at www.terribkelly.com or on Facebook.

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One comment

  1. It’s so easy to get off balance. But it’s also very clear when I do. Thanks for reminding me to keep my focus in the right place.

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