Overwhelm does not feel nice. In fact, it feels like a fierce assault on your senses that can leave you spinning, not knowing which way to turn.

In those moments when a million messages are flooding your brain, and a googol of voices are pulling you in every direction, remember this one choice fact.

The only step you need to take is the next one.

Take a breath.

That’s why the Scriptures teach us that even though it’s healthy and right to plan our way, consider our options, and built toward an envisioned end, God directs our steps.

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” (Proverbs 16:9 AMP)

The Lord directs our steps and makes them sure.

When you are groping for some certainty, the question to ask is simply, “What’s my next step?”

Not steps, not leaps, not milestones or missions.

Step.

Then open your heart to hear, not hustle.

There’s a danger that we can be deceived to think that more is always more.

That’s why we need wisdom to direct us. The Spirit is here to help us do the right thing, and to do that thing right. Simplicity, efficiency, and clarity come when we allow Him to lead.

Desperation and fear can kick in when we are overwhelmed, making us feel like our resolve is in meltdown, that the mountain is too high or the stakes too great. It can lead us to believe that we’ll inevitably screw up and be left with egg on our proverbial face.

Here we are again. Repetition is required because simplicity is not easy for our ego to embrace.

Like Namaan the warrior we too often look for some grand gesture or impressive instruction that will solve our dilemma.

Instead, we are told dip in the Jordan seven times.

Ego stood in the way. Surely such a common action could not make any significant difference.

You may be surprised.

It could be send an email.

Read a book.

Take a nap.

Call a friend.

Contact a coach.

Make a list.

Go for a walk.

Write a paragraph.

For the record, it probably will not be…

Scroll Facebook.

Binge Netflix.

Eat chocolate.

Jump off a cliff.

It will be defined, attainable within at most two hours, and not complicated or comprising multiple steps.

“Finish my novel” is not a next step.

“Write the final 300 word paragraph of chapter 5 of my book” would be closer to the mark.

One inch or one foot forward toward your goal is enough. For today.

God will make your progressive steps sure. Yes, it may seem slow, but there will be a peace that attends your progress that the world has no hook on.

The world wants to whip you into a frenzy of inadequacy. The entire philosophy of salesmanship exploits weakness and fear, offering identity for a price, but rarely delivering on its promise. Wear this perfume and you’ll be a man-magnet. Shave with this blade and you’ll have babes and dollar bills knocking down your door.

Seriously, that next shiny object will not miraculously transform you into the person you think you want to be. But the next small step in the direction the Spirit has highlighted to you will.

The Holy Ghost is here to guide, and His MO is so simple that the multi-tasking world would have an over-extended heart attack at the sheer lazy ease He offers.

What’s my next step?

.

And then?

. .

Next?

. . .

. . . .

. . . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

But for now don’t think about >> . . . . . . . . << just concentrate on >> . <<

BOOM!