Praying For Relief from Sameness and Boredom

 Anyone else experienced some boredom during the long weeks and months of restrictions during the pandemic ?

I know that there were days when the sameness and routine that seemed to repeat itself over and over again was a challenge for me from time to time.  I remember commenting that I just seemed to move from screen to screen to screen and I was tired of it.  I’d read screens (my phone or iPad) when I prayed and did my Bible reading in the morning.  Then I’d switch over to the computer screen to work.  When it was time to take a break and watch the news then it was the television screen before heading back to the computer screen for work.  My books are digital so it was back to the screen for recreational reading.  Phone calls were Facetime.  Church and prayer meetings didn’t offer any relief in this regard either since they were all done on Zoom or Youtube. 

I’m so glad that we have some relaxation of restrictions and more ability with the nice weather to get out and enjoy nature and do some of the things we used to do.  A friend of mine and I went out for breakfast to a new little café on my street and it was so refreshing and fun to do that. 

We’ve tried to make it a point to get out to various parks and go to rivers and lakes etc.  it’s been lovely to be able to return to in-person church services.  It really helps with the “boredom factor.”

I’m so grateful that God has only called us to live for this day – one day at a time - and leave all the other days in His hands. That helps with the boredom frustration and the ability to focus on what we can do and enjoy. God wants us to live with passion and joy and blessing today.

The Bible instructs us in Colossians 3:23–24:  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Sometimes we are bored and restless because the things we are interested in or engaged in were never meant to be satisfying and attention holding.  They are a bit empty.  Our boredom is calling us to put our attention to things that are better. 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:1-3

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature … rid yourselves of all such things … as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. :  Colossians 3:5, 8, 12

God is ready and waiting every minute of every day to give us good instructions in order to make today purposeful and useful in His Kingdom.  We need to consult Him and then follow His leading and I promise you, boredom can be replaced with meaningful activities that bring joy and satisfaction.

be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Heavenly Father, we come to You today because we know that You have planned a meaningful and useful day for us.  We want to live in Your good plans.  You have a work for us to do today that will bless others and us and give us deep satisfaction. 

You have fun activities that You want us to relax and enjoy and be refreshed with.  Help us today to neither get caught up in a particular routine that is becoming stale and meaningless, nor run after this and that to just be trying to do something new.

We want to be involved in what You know is right and good for us today.  You’ve promised that when we seek out Your will, everything will find it’s right place.  We trust You.  We trust Your word. 

We offer any sense of boredom and restlessness that we are experiencing today to You and ask You to make us new.  Show us Your heart, Your plan for the rest of this day as we go forward in the day that You meant of us to experience with joy.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24