When we greet one another, we ask, how are you doing? We say it so often it has become like a rhetorical statement, not a genuine question of concern. If you are on the receiving end of that question – you know we tend not to give an accurate response.   After all, no one wants to hear about other people’s problems when they have enough problems of their own. Right! But I ask you this question out of sincerity. How are you doing? Are you faking it to make it one more day?  

Maybe you need to little structure.

Whether single, married, divorced, widowed, or whatever your status, it is essential to establish and maintain structure in your life and, if possible, in the immediate lives which surround you. Yes, I know it seems no one likes to follow the rules or structure anymore. But our physiological makeup was designed by the Creator based upon rules that regulate when we eat, sleep, think, and even breathe, which enables us to maintain our healthy well-being. Why do we believe we can be happy and balanced without structure and rules in our lives? As a youngster, my parents let my siblings and I know early on, there were household rules and structure by which we were to live and operate our daily lives. There was no running through the house. You must sit down and eat at the table. Complete your daily chores.  

I’m grown. Therefore I don’t need the structure anymore.

Once I left home and began to live the young adult life, I realized my parents were right. Even in my college dorm room, I established rules for what could be done in my room. Yes, structure. Whether you are flying solo and you are the lone ranger in your house, or if you live like the old lady who lived in the shoe who had so many children she did not know what to do, it is wise to establish the structure of your household. If you don’t, others around you will define their structure for you and may not like their design. Yeah, it is understood; your friends and neighbors may not live by or conform to the same structure as you…but you will need to take charge to govern your household, so others know their boundaries with you. Having structure is one of the best ways to maintain a calm and healthy state of mind.

It’s okay  

Know that there will be times when you are not faring well, and that is okay. Balance returns in our lives when we add structure back into our routines. Go to God and pour out your heart before Him – God can handle it! Let God know that you know – things are out of balance in your life, and you need Him to help you restore order. Take one day at a time. Ask the Lord to show you with whom you can share your concerns. Give yourself time to process your emotions and know it is okay to have a moment. During this season, take this much needed time to nourish and care for your soul. Just like a car on empty needs gas, your soul needs refueling. Just like an empty medicine bottle needs another prescription, your soul needs refilling; just like your stomach needs food, your soul needs replenishing. Your soul needs spiritual nourishment to flourish.

Psalm 23:3

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.