a way to deal with pressure...?

In my reading through this morning... already feeling the pressure of time... having difficulty staying focused on the Word... to-dos and time invading thoughts... I read these words...

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,

having put on the breastplate of faith and love,

and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1Thessalonians 5:8

(my emphasis)

Sober... to be unhurried... calm...

Just yesterday... I described myself as hectic... characterized by activity... excitement... confusion... the antithesis to sober...

My activities yesterday... as I faced a to-do list... were disjointed at best... finishing one task...without being distracted by another... seemed... impossible... hectic...

So today... according to the Word... I will attempt to dress appropriately for the day ahead...

Guard my heart with faith... trusting Him... and love... the kind that looks outward...

Guard my thoughts... with the hope... assurance... of salvation... deliverance...

in order to be sober...

After all... this is the Season... of calm... and bright...

Father God... guard my heart with Your breastplate... wrought from faith... and love... guard my mind... with the hope found in Christ... the assurance of salvation... deliverance... from all things hectic...