Series: Unhurried - The Hurry up sickness
Tag – So many are rushing too nowhere!
Opening Quote: Dallas Willard and John Ortberg – Soul Care “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry” Dallas Willard urged people to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" because he considered it the greatest obstacle to a vibrant spiritual life, leading to issues like burnout, anxiety, and a disconnect from God and others.
Thesis: Eliminating hurry isn't about avoiding urgency, but about intentionally slowing down to align with Jesus' unhurried, peace-filled way of living, which fosters rest, joy, and spiritual growth.
Scripture Text: Matthew 11:25-30:
Jesus tells us – He can give Rest for the Weary
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Mt 11:25–30.
Introduction:
The modern diagnosis of "hurry sickness" – The Definition: The term describes the physiological stress and anxiety caused by a relentlessly fast-paced life.
Hurry is the enemy of the soul! Hurry will destroy your spirituality – It’s the great enemy of spirituality – it will rob you of peace with God! It will rob you of contentment in life! Hurry will destroy your prayer life with God! If the Devil cannot get you to sin, he will get you to hurry!
Hurry sickness also creates anxiety issues:
I heard one speaker say that the anxiety level for a high school student today is the at the same level of a hospitalized psychiatric patient in the 1950” s! Anxiety is overrunning our society because it is moving at a frenzied, frantic pace in many lives!
Hurried people look like the following:
We hurried down the highway and rushed from light to light! We hurry through the store and pick the line we think will move fastest! We study the people in line and the cashier to make a well-informed decision.
Illustration: Tuning fork – middle C created by God not Bauch – it resonates in your bones as you ting it! Hurry does this too your bones and your rhythm of life!
The anxiety issues running ramped across society! Hurry is the devil – believe me – it will rob you of your spirituality – of your peace. If the devil cannot make you sin, he will make you busy! That busyness will degrade your spirit and soul.
John Mark Comer in his book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Quotes the book “The Three Mile and Hour God” This Japanese theologian says, “Love has speed” He adds “God walks slowly because He is love.” and He is not hurried! This society is designed for us to hurry – to rush everywhere – to move from one thing to another – to scroll – to take life in sound bites – because you cannot rest and or relax, so the word is “We must hurry!” “Hurry is good and slow is bad!” Fast is better and slow is a disaster! He adds in the book hoe the speed of Love – is 3 mph – walking speed – the way Jesus moved around doing his ministry!
Quote from mark’s Book! Page 22!
Yet what is your speed of life???? How many emails a day - Email- email - email – 1,000 of them most going and saying nothing! Facebook sound bites and the scrolling again to what purpose? Social media bites and quick opinions with no thought. How is that going? The technology rush of today leading most people nowhere!
The wolf in our pocket – is causing us to hurry – to rush – to speak before caring causing waves of inner turmoil! Yes, people touch their phones, on average, about 2,617 times a day, according to a 2016 study by Dscout. This figure represents a broad average, as extreme users can touch their phones more than 5,400 times daily. These touches include actions like tapping, swiping, and typing to interact with their devices.
Top 10 Most Interesting Cell Phone Addiction Facts & Statistics https://www.ambitionsaba.com/resources/cell-phone-addiction-facts-statistics
• 66% of people check their phones 160 times a day (Not touching just checking to see if they missed something) .
• 71% of people sleep with their phones next to them (so they don’t miss a call or text).
• 44% of people said they couldn't last a day without their phone.
• 58% of parents feel their kids are addicted to their mobile devices (yet do nothing about it).
• 46% of people say they feel anxious when they don't have their phones.
• 61% of people say they feel FOMO (fear of missing out) when they can't access their phones.
• 75% of people admit to texting while driving.
• 67% of people check their phones even when they don't hear a notification.
• 35% of people say they spend more time on their phones than with their significant others.
• 50% of teens feel addicted to their mobile devices.
The phone that is always on you! In my day we had phones in the house and if you were home, you answered it – then the answering machine was invented. Now that thing is supposed to be on you 24 -7. Yes, people expect you to be on call 24 -7! When did this become healthy for us?
The main reason we do not grow spiritually is this world of busyness –the hurry up sickness – a real thing today in the counseling world! Yes, “Hurry up sickness” has become a new known disease in this modern-day society that is filled with time saving technology and the age of information overload!
My thought on the saving time lies: I remember when computers first came out and I heard they would save us so much time – did you hear that lie? After computers came out then many other so-called time-saving devices emerged too, we were told we would all have more time to do the things we want to do! We were going to be ab le to relax more1 How is that going for you today? Yes, more time, like time to chill and slowdown in life and enjoy life at a slower speed. But what happened to all the time we saved? No seriously – where did it go?
"Hurry sickness" is defined as a pervasive feeling of constant urgency, restlessness, and being chronically behind schedule, leading to frantic behavior, multitasking, low tolerance for delays, and a neglect of self-care.
The result is shallow lives filled with anxiety, depression, and weariness! This term was coined in the 1950’s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman. They said this pattern of chronic rushing is linked to poor executive function, increased stress, weakened immune systems, and negative impacts on mental well-being and relationships. This is in the 1950’s when they made this observation – it’s not a new word or diagnosis it’s just happening all across the world today – it’s surfacing in this era and day. Think about this for a moment – this is the era of “Leave it Beaver” - “Father Knows Best” - “Andy Griffith Show” and “My Three Sons.” We know have shows like Survivor, The Amazing race, America’s Got talent, The Voice and other fast paced shows!
I. The Symptoms of Hurry Sickness:
a. The plotting of your next move.
i. You look at the line in the store to access which one will go faster! My wife always asks me which line Mike? She knows I am looking and calculating.
ii. You look at the cars at the light up ahead and access which one will go faster! Is there a truck in line – don’t get in that one – Did you notice a slow poke or a person on a phone – don’t get in that line – then you access quickly who will get off to a faster start from the light! And if you miss getting through the green light and must sit through another red light the emotions fly! Your time is wasting!
iii. You drive on the highway tailgating the person in front of you – who is speeding but not as fast as you are.
1. Personal illustration: I went to Panera Bread on Tuesday to get some healthy lunch: I decided to do the Drive thru – so I could bring back and have a working lunch – It was 20 minute later and I am still sitting in line for my food at the drive thru. I am like thinking really what is going on? I was losing patience, and the Lord was reminding me of my sermon topic – So I did not say anything – I only thought it – Then I thought “Lord you orchestrated this didn’t you?” – At that moment the Lady comes to the window with my food and says smiling, “Thank You for being so patient!” I wanted to say something else – I really did – but I smiled and drove away!
2. I got a new cell phone this week and all it is doing is frustrating me – saying you’re not on the internet when I am on the internet!
3. I went to Dunking Donuts Saturday morning at 7am and the line was around the building – I am like you should all be sleeping!
b. People experiencing hurried sickness often exhibit the following:
i. Spiritual decline: Slipping in their spiritual disciplines and a lack of soul care.
1. First thing to go when you are hurried – Church, Devotions, Bible Reading, Prayer, Bible Study, worship time!
ii. Irritability: with others over minor things.
1. Increased irritability: Getting angry or frustrated too easily over nothing.
iii. A constant sense of urgency: Feeling compelled to rush through every task and action.
1. You have a Low tolerance for delays!
2. Experiencing significant stress, frustration, or irritability when faced with minor delays.
3. Obsession with time: Perceiving time as a scarce and dwindling resource.
iv. Restlessness: The inability to rest and relax.
1. You cannot sleep!
2. Intolerance for downtime: Viewing rest and breaks as unproductive and inefficient.
3. Looking at others with a slower lifestyle and thinking how lazy they are!
v. Workaholism: Person works all the time – even when there is not a lot to do.
1. They live at work!
2. They work and work
vi. Emotional numbness: You don’t have capacity for any more problems or pain!
1. You shut down – you do not want to make any more decisions! And you resent people trying to tell you what to do!
vii. Chronic rushing: Moving, speaking, and acting with excessive speed (shows mostly in your driving).
1. Even interrupting others in conversations.
viii. Hypersensitivity: A person quickly moves into anger over minor issues or quickly goes into tears.
ix. Frantic behavior: Multitasking, checking the clock frequently, and feeling a perpetual sense of being behind.
x. Neglect of self-care: Sacrificing sleep, meals, exercise, and social connections for the sake of productivity.
c. A case in point from the Bible - Mary (sister of Martha)
i. The story of Mary and Martha presents a powerful contrast between a hurried and an unhurried lifestyle. While Martha was anxious and stressed with the preparations for Jesus's visit, Mary sat at Jesus feet to listen to his teaching.
ii. A better choice: When Martha complained, Jesus affirmed Mary's unhurried posture, saying she had "chosen what is better" (Luke 10:42).
1. Prioritizing presence: Mary prioritized spiritual connection over frantic activity, demonstrating that spending time with God is the single most important task we should do and Jesus affirmed her for it.
iii. The Bible, particularly the wisdom literature of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and narratives from both the Old and New Testaments, frequently warn against the dangers of a hurried life. A rushed pace is associated with making mistakes, lacking wisdom, and forgetting God's ultimate timing and sovereignty.
1. What is the pace of your life?
d. Jesus did not live a hurried life! Jesus was the most successful person to have ever lived, and I never read of Him being a hurry or rushing!
i. I see Him choose moments of solitude in the Gospels – one author says Jesus retreated to solitude and prayer 9 different times in the Gospel at successful times of ministry!
ii. Jesus took time to rest, reflect and seek the Father’s direction many times in Scripture:
1. Before making a major decision: Before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus spent the entire night alone in prayer on a mountainside (Luke 6:12–13).
2. In the wilderness, before beginning his ministry: Immediately following his baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where he fasted and was tempted by Satan for 40 days (Matthew 4:1–11, Mark 1:12–13, Luke 4:1–2).
3. After hearing about John the Baptist's death: When Jesus heard that his cousin, John the Baptist, had been executed, he "withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place" to grieve (Matthew 14:13).
4. To rest and recharge after ministry: Following a demanding day of teaching and healing, Jesus often went to a desolate place alone to pray and restore his spirit (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). He also encouraged his disciples to do the same when they were overwhelmed (Mark 6:31–32).
a. He frequently got away from the crowd to spend time with the Father in prayers!
iii. Jesus' life wasn't hurried because he prioritized people over his schedule, paused for those in need, took time for solitude, and trusted God's timing, as seen when he delayed going to Lazarus's house to perform a greater miracle and when he stopped to heal a sick woman while on the way to save Jairus's daughter.
iv. The most successful person and leader to have ever lived did not live a hurried life! There is no example of him in Scripture rushing through his ministry or life!
v. Jesus lived an unhurried life by prioritizing prayer and rest, intentionally spending time with people, and accepting his physical limitations.
1. He also moved at a walking pace, allowed time for children to approach him, and showed presence and patience in all his interactions.
2. Accepting limitations: As a human, Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, and tiredness, and he accepted his physical limitations instead of trying to accomplish everything at once. He didn't start his ministry until he was around 30 years old.
3. Taking time for people: Jesus was never too rushed to stop and engage with people. He walked and talked with his disciples, patiently invited people to follow him, and made time to eat with friends and family.
4. Moving with intention: He moved at a walking pace, which naturally created a slower and more intentional rhythm. Even when he had a great distance to travel, the accounts show he was not in a hurry.
II. Causes and Contributing Factors to the Hurry up Sickness of today:
a. What is causing the rise in hurry:
i. Societies Cultural norms: A cultural emphasis on productivity, efficiency, and constant activity. The rise of technology is stealing away your time (Not saving you time!) things like Facebook, Instagram, Tick tock, email, phones always on (It is said we touch our phones over 2,600 times a day) and then there are the computers, Ipads and Tv’s!
ii. Our Cognitive patterns: Hurrying disrupts executive function, leading to cognitive overload and making it harder to slow down.
1. Your phone is doing this to you!
iii. Psychological drivers: A need for control, perfectionism, and a belief that self-esteem is tied to being busy.
iv. The Dopamine reward: The act of completing tasks can provide a sense of reward and satisfaction, encouraging more rushing.
v. A depletion in caring for your spiritual health and soul.
vi. Mental health: Increased stress, anxiety, and a perpetual feeling of being overwhelmed.
vii. Physical health: A weakened immune system and impaired sleep quality.
viii. Relationships: Diverting attention from loved ones, leading to frustration, conflict, and fallouts.
ix. Productivity: Despite the constant activity, individuals often achieve little lasting value due to inefficiency and cognitive strain.
b. Other Causes of this manifestation of this new disease: According to studies Several factors can contribute to developing hurry up sickness:
i. Cultural expectations: Modern society often glorifies busyness and productivity, linking a person's worth to how much they can accomplish in a day.
ii. Technology: The digital age creates a constant influx of information and the expectation to respond quickly to emails and notifications, which intensifies the sense of urgency.
iii. Lifestyle choices: Overcommitting to work, sports and social events can create a backlog of tasks, leading to a constant cycle of rushing.
iv. Personality traits: Individuals who are perfectionistic, competitive, or prone to people-pleasing are more susceptible to hurried sickness.
v. Underlying mental health: In some cases, anxiety disorders, chronic stress, or bipolar disorder can be linked to the persistent feeling of urgency.
vi. A decline in spiritual growth and soul care.
c. The long-term effects of hurried sickness can be severe and widespread:
i. Burnout: The cycle of high-stress and constant urgency leads to exhaustion and a decline in emotional and mental health.
ii. Poor decision-making: Rushing prevents careful thought, leading to impulsive choices and careless errors.
iii. Reduced creativity: Innovation and creative thinking are stifled under the constant pressure to move quickly.
iv. Damaged relationships: Impatience with others' pace can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
v. Impaired cognitive function: Chronic rushing makes it difficult to process new information effectively.
vi. Increased risk of chronic illness: Long-term activation of the "fight-or-flight" response can heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic issues.
vii. Spiritual apathy and drifting from God
1. A wounded and broken soul: Soul care is a spiritual and relational process focused on aligning one's inner life with God to achieve wholeness and freedom from brokenness, distinct from superficial self-care. It involves addressing spiritual, emotional, and relational aspects of the person through practices like repentance, confession, building identity in God, and integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to foster resilience, creativity, and inner peace.
d. The case of Abraham and Sarah Genesis 21
i. God promised Abraham and his wife, Sarah, that they would have a son and become the parents of a great nation, but they had to wait decades for the promise to be fulfilled.
1. The lapse in patience: At one point, Sarah grew impatient and convinced Abraham to have a child with her servant, Hagar, which produced strife and complex problems.
2. The eventual reward: After Abraham demonstrated renewed faith, God fulfilled his promise when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90, showing that divine timing is always perfect. This long wait developed Abraham's unwavering faith.
3. Summary. Abraham struggled to wait on God's timing in fulfilling His promises. Abraham had a son with Hagar when he felt he couldn’t.
III. Biblical Solutions for Hurry Sickness and lessons on this disease from the Bible
a. Embrace Rest: Jesus invites those burdened by life to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
b. Cultivate Patience: The Bible teaches that difficult times, including illness, can build patience and faith (James 5:7-11).
c. Trust in God's Plan: Knowing God has a plan and that this world is temporary can provide a healthy perspective and patience (James 5:7-11).
d. Observe God's Rhythms: The Creation story (Genesis 1-2) demonstrates God's use of rhythms and boundaries, suggesting a way to live in alignment with His design.
e. Seek God's Voice: Actively trying to be more attuned to God's voice over the noise of daily life can help individuals find a slower, more purposeful way of living.
f. Find Comfort in Sickness: Verses like Psalm 91:6, Isaiah 41:10, and Jeremiah 30:17 provide comfort and reassurance during illness and tough times, reminding people of God's presence and promise of healing.
i. A biblical approach: Christian authors apply biblical wisdom to this modern condition, encouraging believers to prioritize what truly matters, slow down, and find their rhythm in God's grace instead of the world's demands.
ii. Jesus' example: Jesus is presented as the antidote to "hurry sickness." Though he had a world-changing mission, his life exemplified choosing substance over volume, regularly retreating to be with God, and having unrushed meals with his disciples.
g. Biblical principles on rest, peace, and wisdom
i. Rest in Jesus: Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to him and find rest for their souls, promising that his "yoke is easy and his burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
ii. Overcoming anxiety: The apostle Paul urges believers not to be anxious but to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
iii. Seeking God's will: Rather than rushing to complete our own agendas, Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails".
iv. Growth takes time: Paul Billheimer's spiritual analogy, cited by Our Daily Bread Ministries, compares spiritual maturity to an oak tree, which God takes time to grow. This teaches patience with spiritual growth instead of impatiently "hurrying up."
h. Strategies for recovery
i. Slowdown your pace: To combat hurried sickness, focus on working with intention rather than urgency: Slow down be intentional! Drive in the slow lane!
ii. Leave you phone at home! Go to a coffee shop and read a book!
iii. Get in the long line at the store and talk to people in the line!
iv. Slow down and cook your own food! Avoid the fast-food places!
v. Prioritize and manage time realistically: Use tools like the 4D method (Do, Defer, Delegate, Delete) to sort tasks and set achievable goals.
vi. Practice mindfulness: Taking mindful pauses, deep breathing, or meditating can help you focus on the present moment and reduce stress.
vii. Set boundaries: Learn to say "no" to new commitments to avoid overextending yourself. Before saying yes, evaluate if the request aligns with your goals.
viii. Take regular breaks: Intentionally step away from tasks to clear your mind. This can be as simple as a short walk or a few minutes of quiet time.
ix. Challenge perfectionism: Give yourself grace and accept that progress is more important than perfection. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.
x. Practice self-care and spiritual care: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and making time for hobbies or relaxation.
xi. Seek support: If managing hurry sickness on your own feels too difficult, consider talking to a therapist, coach, or joining a support group.
xii. Prune your life back! Especially your phone and technology! Statistics say, “Within the first 10 minutes: of waking up, 70% to 80% of people check their phones.”
1. "Hurry up sickness" is a cultural concept not a specific disease mentioned in the Bible; however, the Bible offers cures for the rushed lifestyle by promoting patience, trust in God, and rest. Verses like Matthew 11:28-30 and the example of God creating the world with rhythms show how to find rest for the soul by putting faith in God's plan and embracing a slower pace.
i. The Bible's perspective on sickness in general
i. While not addressing "hurry sickness" directly, the Bible offers multiple perspectives on why sickness occurs in a fallen world:
1. Consequence of the Fall: Sickness is part of the general decay and corruption that entered the world through original sin (Romans 5:12, Romans 8:20).
2. Natural consequences: In some cases, sickness results from choices, like the law of reaping what you sow (Galatians 6:7).
3. Divine discipline: In certain situations, God uses sickness as a form of loving discipline to call his children back to himself (1 Corinthians 11:30).
4. For God's glory: In the case of the man born blind, Jesus clarified that his condition was so "that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3).
5. Spiritual lesson or testing: Like Job's suffering, a person's faith can be tested. Paul's "thorn in the flesh" also demonstrated how God's power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
j. Learn from Joseph Genesis 37-47!
i. Joseph spent 13 years patiently enduring betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment after being sold into slavery by his brothers.
1. A productive waiting period: While waiting, Joseph did not become bitter or lazy. Instead, he diligently served his masters and the prison keeper, developing administrative skills that would be crucial for his future leadership.
2. The grand design: When Joseph finally rose to power as Pharaoh's second-in-command, he was able to save his own family and many others from famine. He recognized that the long, painful delay was part of God's greater plan: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).
k. The dangers of haste in the Book of Proverbs
i. The Book of Proverbs contains some of the Bible's most direct warnings about the consequences of haste.
1. Haste leads to mistakes: "Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way" (Proverbs 19:2, ESV). Acting impulsively without proper thought or knowledge inevitably leads to errors and poor decisions.
2. Haste leads to poverty: "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty" (Proverbs 21:5, ESV). Rushing into schemes and taking shortcuts to get rich quickly will ultimately lead to ruin, whereas patient, diligent work brings prosperity.
3. Haste reveals folly: "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly" (Proverbs 14:29, ESV). A quick temper is a form of emotional haste, revealing a lack of wisdom.
4. Haste in conflict brings shame: "Do not go out hastily to argue your case... Otherwise, what will you do in the end, when your neighbor humiliates you?" (Proverbs 25:8, NASB). Rushing into conflict without forethought can end in public shame.
a. The scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that caution against the impulsiveness and recklessness that can accompany ...
l. Biblical narratives showing the consequences of haste
i. The lives of several biblical figures serve as powerful cautionary tales against a hurried and impatient lifestyle.
1. Saul's rash offering: In 1 Samuel 13, King Saul becomes impatient waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive and offer a sacrifice before a battle. In a moment of panic and haste, Saul takes it upon himself to offer the burnt offering. His hasty act of disobedience cost him his kingdom.
2. Esau's lost birthright: When Esau returns from the field, he is so famished that he hastily sells his valuable birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29–34). His impulsive decision, driven by the immediate demands of his flesh, had devastating, long-term consequences for his inheritance and blessing.
3. The prodigal son's flight: In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son hurries to claim his inheritance "without delay" and leaves home (Luke 15:13, MSG). His impatience to embrace a life of reckless freedom leads to his own destruction and destitution.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: Hurry up sickness is robbing people of their spirit and soul and causing anxiety to replace their peace with God.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: Hurry up is deadly for the spirit and the soul, for your mind and emotions and even physically destroying people in our society today.
What do they need to do?
We need to be like Jesus – he never hurried thru life or ministry! We need to learn from the Bible how to find rest for our soul and spirit and we need to learn from the examples in the Bible.
Why do they need to do this?
If we know how to prevent “Hurried sickness” then we will live a healthier life in all dimensions of our life.
