Lara Casey’s Write the Word Journals are back in stock!
Check out the 5 beautiful versions: Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Faith, or Renewal.
Brittany had to have a few tests run while pregnant. Her extreme fatigue was causing concern. She was tired and was wearing herself down with all the time and energy she was putting into being a homeschool mother, wife, homemaker and work-at-home mom. She was neglecting her health and living on little sleep.
What is needed here? Slow down. Take care of yourself. Rest. Relax. Simplify your schedule. Eat healthy. Exercise. Possibly find more “me” time? This all makes perfect sense and you will not hear me argue with any of the above.
Many books would stop there: Rest. Relax. Simplify. Take time for yourself. The answer often is put on ourselves. You just do all of the above and that will take care of it.
In Putting God First: How to Make God the #1 Priority in Every Area of Your Life
For me, it wasn’t simply a matter of sleeping a little more or eating a little better (though those things did help). For me, the real issue was a life that had gotten dreadfully out of balance and out of focus when I stopped focusing on God and let myself get distracted by all of the other things I thought were so important instead. Things that really weren’t that important at all. ~ Putting God First
I do feel that rest and taking care of our bodies is important. Taking time for ourselves is beneficial. I started waking up early because I want time alone before my girls get up. I do enjoy alone time and feel that it has great benefits!
But…we cannot hope to find rest and refreshment by focusing solely on ourselves. When we feel worn down, we cannot find the answer in looking at our temporary earthly needs.
We can only find rest in our Savior. We can only find joy and peace through Him. We can only see the blessings of this life through Him. With our Savior at the center of our lives, He can guide our lives and our decisions.
It was refreshing to read a book where the author reminds us of the importance of making sure that God is the center of our lives. When He is not at the center, we often get lost and focus on our earthly ambitions. We focus on ourselves. The answer is not “more ME time”. The answer is more time in Him.
If you know you want to spend more time with the Lord, but are distracted and push it off, Putting God First
If you do not see the importance or don’t understand why it’s important to put God first, skip to chapter three. The author expands on WHY we should put God first.
Among other reasons, He sent His Son to save us from eternal damnation. He loves us and promises to be with us always. He gives us peace and gives us reason to have joy in everything. How can we not want to spend time with our Savior who loves us and promises heaven to ALL who believe?
I know that writing the Word out can be helpful if you really want to focus in on His Word. Lara Casey’s Write the Word Journals are beautiful books created for just this purpose!
Check out the 5 versions: Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Faith, or Renewal.
You will receive free updates, morning motivation, printables, blog post highlights, and occasional deals sent your way. Frequency?? Just a few times per month.
Janeen says
This looks like a great resource, I can’t wait to grab a copy! Thanks for sharing your heart :) It’s so refreshing to refocus on what’s really important.
Emily says
I hope you were able to grab a copy while it was free. Enjoy!
Bethany says
Oh my word, yes! Thankful for these wise words. We are responsible for taking care of ourselves, but our reliance and our foundation even in that needs to be Christ! Thank you for this!!
Michelle says
Christ first, everything else second and it seems to all fall into place. Great suggestions and a great story to remind us all of what are priorities should be.
Emily says
So true, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Anastasia says
Oh how I have been in this spot before. Getting our priorities out of order takes such a toll on our lives. We need more of Him to have that peace and joy we long for! Can’t wait to read this book!
Emily says
I hope you enjoy the book!
Heaven says
Thank you for this reminder. When I saw your link at SHINE I knew immediately I wanted to read it. I’ll be getting my copy of the book, too. It reminds me of something one of my favorite speakers, Richard G. Scott, said recently, “Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!” His entire address is amazing! I’ve stumbled your post. Have a great day!
Emily says
I hope you enjoy Brittany’s book. I often need to reorganize my priorities and the book was a helpful tool!
Thanks for stumbling the post!! I appreciate it. :)
Tona says
So true! Its so funny I came out with a devotional with a similar title. Its so amazing how different our days are when we put the Lord first in all we do. When we encounter trials we have a better perspective and remembers who is in control of the situation.
Emily says
Being in His Word can help us through the trials and most definitely remind us of who is in control!
Lexie Dache says
Hey there! Oh my gosh so true. I’ve been processing through similar truths in my own life. It’s so tempting to label a lot of selfishness as self-care. Self-care is GOOD but it NEEDS to be centered on Christ! Love this!
Emily says
I see that you just posted on a similar topic! It’s so easy to be selfish with my time. Too easy.
Abi @ Joy In My Kitchen says
I definitely agree, Emily. More time with Christ is so much more refreshing and strengthening in the long run than more time centered on self.
Emily says
Yes!
Abby McDonald says
“We cannot hope to find rest and refreshment by focusing solely on ourselves.” Yes! Amen. During different seasons of my life God has made me realize this. Self-care alone is not the answer. Thank you for sharing. Such an important topic in our me-centered culture. Blessed to find you at Grace & Truth.
Emily says
It’s so easy to sink back into becoming ME-focused. I need the reminder often! Thanks for stopping by, Abby.
Sarah Donegan says
So true, and yet God is not the first place we (I) go. Thanks for sharing!
Rebekah harris says
So true! I love getting up and having my quiet time but sometimes all my well laid plans get turned around by my 5 children. God has been teaching me a lot about not putting my hope in my me time but in him also. This truly confirmed what God has been speaking to me! Thanks for sharing! Linking up with you at shine blog hop:)
Emily says
We can only plan our days so much, right? And I only have 2 children. ;) I need to check my perspective often and focus on His plan instead of mine! Thanks for stopping by.
Susan B Mead says
Oh yes more time in His presence! Thank you for the reminder. Susan
Laurie Collett says
Amen! He is all we need. If we seek Him first, and His righteousness, all else will be added to us. Thank you for the inspiring post! Linked up with you at Literacy Musing Mondays — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie
Emily says
I will be sure to stop by! Thanks for reading.
Lux says
This is an eye-opener. I often think I just need more time for myself but then again, it doesn’t always reboot my system so to speak. It’s important to go back to God.
Emily says
Yes, it’s easy to think we just need more time to ourselves. It’s helpful! But won’t fulfill our needs like His Word will.
Emily says
Wow. Yes. To think that we often neglect time with the person, our GOD who gave EVERYTHING for us, is shameful to me and at the same time, it prompts me to want to know so much more of our great High Priest and King. It is such a privilege and treasure to be able to spend time with Him and be close to Him. Thank you for the reminder.
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I also reviewed this book and am glad you shared at Women With Intention Wednesdays! :) If we all put God first the world would be a much better place! :)
Holly Brown says
Finding rest is so hard sometimes, especially for moms who are in the middle of chaos for the household. I really liked this post! Thank you for linking this up with us at Grace & Truth!! You’re a vital part of our community and we appreciate reading your posts!
Emily says
Thanks Holly!
Thanks also for hosting Grace & Truth each week. :)
JES says
This is excellent advice Emily! Thank you for sharing it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. I will be pinning :)
Emily says
Thanks for pinning, Jes!
Pamela says
A convicting read. Sometimes I think I put God first, but that pesky me squeezes in. I’m eager to read this book.
Emily says
Oh yes, pesky me does the same. :)
Mary Hill says
I really enjoyed reading this review. Putting God First involves finding rest in Him. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays. I hope you will join us again this week. :)
Karen says
Thanks for the beautiful reminder. I had a 6:30a.m. call and I didn’t get my devotion in before it, so I am going to stop and do that right now.
Emily says
:)
Ona says
This is so very true. I’ve been there, gotten better and then got distracted again. In Revelations we are reminded to go back to our first love, and that should always be Christ.
Emily says
Yes, it is easy to get distracted from putting Him first. I am so often guilty of this. Thankful for His grace and forgiveness!
Valerie says
I love the title of your post! Spending time with God is like water for our souls! This looks like a great book!
Emily says
Thanks, Valerie. We are often told that we can find refreshment elsewhere. Only in HIM do we find full refreshment!
Johanna says
I am so glad I saw you on 100 Happy Days Link Ups! This is so true! I write something similiar to this a few years ago in my journal. We can have all the ME time but still feel depleted. It is only when we fill up on Jesus will we be 100% fulfilled!
Emily says
Yes, only in Him will we find true rest! Thanks for stopping by.
Michelle says
How often so many of us (myself included) neglect this one thing, this very important task of putting God first. I’m trying right now to do just that, but often fall short. Thanks for linking this reminder through your book review at Book Wino today. I’m going to have to add this to the already growing list of books I’m gathering.