Finding Spiritual Rest in a Chaotic World

Are you feeling overwhelmed with all your to-do's as a Christian author? Are you seeking moments of calm within today's storms?

What if you could start and end your day with quiet time for spiritual reflection, all while building and nurturing your audience as an author?

It can happen.

Today my friend, author Mitzi Neely, is here to share encouragement from her newest devotional, How to Find Spiritual Rest in a Chaotic World: 24 Devotionals to Calm the Soul.

Let's dig in to setting the right pace – God's pace – for not only ourselves, but for our readers too.

Mitzi shares:

• practical ideas for carving out time for what matters most 
• identifying where and what your time wasters are
• what’s working for her to nurture her readers these days
• being intentional about your commitments as a writer
• Her ministry, Girls Aloud, providing scholarships to high school girls
• Her new gift book, Teachers Are a Gift

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Embracing God's Guidance

As a Christian author are you open to God's guidance? Mitzi shares about listening to those gentle nudges in our hearts, hinting at when it might be time to lay certain things down. As a fellow author juggling writing, marketing, and public speaking, Mitzi knows the importance of discerning when to step back from commitments due to your current capacity.

Overwhelm and Overload

We all know that heavy, sinking feeling of being overwhelmed with our to-do lists, each item seemingly heavier than the last. Mitzi shared some golden tips on how to tackle this. 

Prioritization is key.

Not everything on your list is urgent, even if it seems like it. Prioritize tasks based on their actual importance and impact on your goals.

Ask for help.

Often, we feel like we need to carry the world on our shoulders, but there’s no shame in seeking assistance. Delegation can be a game-changer, a skill Mitzi perfected as a long-time school administrator.

Be vigilant of time-wasters.

It's so easy to get lost in tasks that seem urgent but aren't really critical. Evaluate your activities and see where you can cut down to focus on what truly matters.

The Art of Saying No

Mitzi’s candidness about her struggle with saying no was a breath of fresh air. We’ve all been there—committing to too much and then realizing we’ve stretched ourselves paper-thin. It’s vital to be discerning with our time and energy. Overcommitting doesn’t just impact us – it affects our loved ones, our work, and our spiritual health. 

By maintaining this mindfulness, Mitzi makes intentional time for her family, friends, and faith. She practices what she preaches, or in this case, writes. 😉

Spiritual Discernment and Peace

While writing her devotional, Mitzi realized it wasn't a race. Imagine that—a book designed to provide spiritual rest itself was an exercise in patience.

Mitzi took a year and a half to craft her book, treating every word and message with the sacredness it deserved.

Prioritizing Time with God

We all know it's important to schedule intentional time for God and our loved ones. Mitzi starts and ends her day with quiet time for prayer and Bible study. It's more than just a habit; it’s a lifeline in a chaotic world.

Don't just grab moments of peace, carve them out deliberately, just as we do with deadlines and meetings.

Spiritual rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Giving Back to Your Community

You know what’s more inspiring than Mitzi being an accomplished author? That she has a heart full of grace and a drive to give back. Mitzi's ministry supports young women pursuing higher education by awarding scholarships to them. She’s all about sowing seeds of hope and opportunities for the next generation.

Consistency for Your Readers

In addition to writing blogs and books, Mitzi nurtures her readers through her weekly newsletters that offer free resources and personal interactions. The cornerstones of her email outreach? Consistency, relevance, and encouragement. If she misses a week, her readers let her know about it. She truly embodies what it means to be a shepherd of faith in a digital world.

Inspiring Spiritual Rest

Prioritizing our relationship with God and following His pace is crucial. Imagine navigating our chaotic world with a grounding sense of peace, hope, and courage – that’s what Mitzi strives to instill through her work and in her readers.

As you navigate your own chaotic world, take a page from Mitzi’s book. Be intentional with your commitments, carve out sacred time for peace, and trust in God’s gentle nudges.

Your soul will thank you, and your spirit will find rest.

Cheering you on one podcast at a time,

Kim

Thanks to Mitzi for joining me on the show! Mitzi Neely is a longtime educator and administrator, and the author of seven books, including five devotionals and a cookbook, and a semi-annual magazine. Her heart is to lighten your load while sharing that nobody’s perfect, as reflected by her ministry, Peacefully Imperfect.

How to Find Spiritual Rest in a Chaotic World
Teachers Are a Gift
Mitzi's website
Mitzi's Instagram

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