Imagine children bouncing on a see saw. Does your life often feel that way? Up one moment; down the next? How can we balance our lives when society grows busier and more hectic every day?
I wrote the book Simply Balanced: Bible “Contradictions” Teach Balanced Living because God gave me a message to share with others. I believe God revealed these common truths to me in a unique way for one main reason: because I need to work on these areas myself!
I am a worrier. I always have been, even before I became a mother. With God’s help, I am working on living more in the moment and not worrying so much. I suspect it will be a lifelong battle. 
But I know I can do all things through Christ, so I continue to trust in my Lord to guide me.
So, when God starting showing me how to balance my life by following seemingly contradictory Bible lessons, I listened. When God showed me how these “seemingly” contradictory passages actually work together, complementing one another to balance the equation of life, I listened. When God showed me how Jesus is the perfect example, modeling both halves, I listened.
It all started with the passage about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), which really jumped out at me, as I’m sure it has for others. Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus while Mary sat and listened quietly at Jesus’ feet. I could identify with both sisters: I wanted to be more like Mary, but I was far too much like Martha. My life was crazy and imbalanced, and I worried far too much about the little details of life.
Soon after, I thought about how we need to prepare for many things in life, and how Jesus Himself tells us to be prepared for His return—that He will come like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-51). That got me thinking: which advice should I follow? Not to worry, or be prepared? Don’t you have to worry a little if you’re going to prepare?
God revealed the answer to me: I needed to follow both. I needed to prepare in life, but I also needed to stop worrying. Even further, preparing would actually help me worry less!
Once I realized that, God led me to search for other Bible lessons that followed this same pattern — appearing to be contradictions on the surface but actually working together to help me balance my life. That is where the book Simply Balanced ultimately came from (after more than two years of jotting down notes and praying and trying to follow these lessons myself).
From contradiction to balance: that is the plan God showed me for balancing life His way. The more I thought about it, the simpler it sounded. And the harder it’s been to follow!
I pray that the book — and this blog — helps others start to find balance in their lives as well. I look forward to hearing how other people try to balance their lives (what works and doesn’t work), and I look forward to sharing additional tips I have been learning… Mostly, though, I look forward to going where God leads my fingers on the keyboard… Wherever that may be, I want to remain open to His will and His guidance. I hope you’ll join me on the path to balance, where we can all help each other stay on track.
God bless!
It has been a pleasure getting to know Chris and seeing her journey through writing this book. I’m not much of a reader but this book held my interest and spoke to me on a level that made it a joy to read! I pray only the best for Chris and for all you readers out there.
I have been blessed to meet this intelligent, articulate, God-loving woman. Her inspiration has helped me to see that God gives you what you need through an interpretation that he will have you discover in his time.
Her book is meant for any and all that have a desire to delve deeper into the mysteries that surround living the Christian life.
I wish her the best now and always!
Simply Balanced sounds like just what the doctor ordered for me especially during such a terribly chaotic period in my life.
I can hardly wait to take a day out of my hectic schedule so that I can embrace a moment of peace and serenity relaxing in a jacuzzi and take some much needed time to reflect upon the writings and teachings of such an amazing author.
The inspirational words and wisdom by Chris Downs alone truly help to establish her publications as a miraculous gift for those who are struggling to keep their heads above the water while making major decisions and applying them toward monumental events that will ultimately have lasting effects upon our daily lifestyles.
This book promises to be a godsend!
Michelle, Christine, and T.M.,
Thank you for stopping by to visit. I appreciate the kind words, and I feel blessed if I was able to help you even a little. Your support and friendship have been a blessing as I try to navigate my own hectic schedule.
God bless you!
- Chris
Contradiction of life. We need to contradict in our lifes, it makes things happening, working for us. Just as we walk physically, natural placing of body parts contradicts so that it allows our bodies move. As in life with decisions we are facing, if we look on what contradits it makes us to be self-aware and making us responsible for how we decide, then we are moving towards our life, harmonised, regardless to how we live and what we believe in. If we denied other side of us, then we make just loops where we need to repeat our mistakes to realise what we do not want to learn. Thank You, Good Luck and Blessings, Michael
hello i agree with what youi are saying and would like to add first and foremost we can do nothing without christ and looking always at what hes already done is a place for us to rest the enemy is a driver but christ is a leader your right we can be prepared which actually decreases worry we also need to have that reknewed mind from allowing the word to sanctify it because anxiety also comes from a wrong perspective which if we had a godly one we wouldn’t overlook things to hide from whatever we assume nor would we jump to conclusions but simply live the abundant life jesus christ gave us get i didn’t say is giving i said GAVE i tend to remind myself of his words on the cross it is finished and to me it means i dont have to do nothing but cooperate with what ALREADY is!!!!! to god be the glory