Overwhelmed. This is where so many people find themselves today. Can you identify? Take a few moments and read through some thoughts I have on the subject.

I have always been a fan of having a mentor in your life. The very act of asking someone else to speak into your life positions you to have a posture of learning. Incredibly important in all aspects of life if you ask me. One of my mentors once told me to stop looking so far ahead and worrying about the future, instead just take 5 yards at a time. Now, being a sports guy this analogy made a lot of sense, but for those who aren’t sport savvy this is what that means. You don’t need to look for a touchdown in every play/move you make, just try to get 5 yards ahead. If you keep getting 5 yards ahead you will ultimately score.

Over the years I have narrowed this down to a concept I have been living by since. It’s called the, “Principle of One.” Or P.O.O., just kidding, I would never use such a smelly acronym…I digress.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

The principle of one is simply what it says. You might not be able to do everything you need to do right now, but you can do one thing. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by everything in front of us that it shuts us down to move forward at all. Implementing the “principle of one” allows us to keep moving forward without getting stuck in the mindset of “I can’t do all of this.”

“Cast your anxiety on him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

What if today you decided to one thing? One thing that would bring value to your marriage. One thing that would help your children navigate the darkness of this world. One thing that would elevate the leadership and lordship of Jesus in your life. You can’t do everything, but if you keep doing one thing, you may be surprised how far you get down the field in the areas that matter the most in your life.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)