Finding Balance in Christian Life

Balance in life is something many of us strive for while not having much insight on how to achieve it. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz provides three principles that can help, advising that when we seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), everything else tends to fall into place.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension:

[DanUtley]

I could sense the internal struggle of him holding back that final wink. Like part of him was dying inside.

[eidlebanon]

Greetings to you Fr. Mike Schmitz and to all of you brethren in Christ from a Lebanese Catholic. Please pray for the Christians of the Middle East in Iraq, Syria and Egypt, and keep them in your thoughts and actions.

[michellestolwyk]

The struggle is real. I'm always feeling guilty because I choose faith, work, and supporting my family over friends and a million other great things I could be doing. This video reminds me to let the guilt go cause I've decided what my priorities are and I can't do it all.

[tonisieben]

Don't worry about your faith being strong enough. God will help you every moment of everyday. You just have to be willing and love Him. God will help you with everything!

[beverlypasco]

What a gem 💎 we have in Jesus that He would send Father Mike to us!!! Thank You Lord. 🌹May I seek The Lord every hour, or minute of the day. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😊

[nickcurran]

You should give a blessing at the end of every video

[nyakanyasko]

I was just discussing this with my spiritual director today! She said the priorities in your life should always be: (1) Prayer, (2) Family, (3) Work, (4) Apostolate. Then here's Father Mike saying basically the same thing in a different way! ☺️

[LucianFromEarth]

I just realized for the first time after having watched many of his videos that he says "from all of us here at Ascension Presents". I have always understood it as "Malvis here at Ascension Presents" and I was wondering who Malvis was.

[claudiasorrentino]

Fr. Schmitz is someone I really think might reach my fallen away thirty-somethings! He’s young, hip, relevant, and theologically right on! God bless you!!

[lovingly]

I was literally just wondering about this yesterday! God bless

[briankelly]

Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance...

[ellyturner]

A wonderful saying of Australia first Saint....which i visit often in North Sydney....she said " You do what you need to do and let God do the rest". That helps me to stop and make better decisions. Pope Francis says..' When praying and deciding on sometime ...do rely on your first answer pray more and when you know the first is correct...then follow through to what God says...

[popgas]

This is true, there will always be a trade-off. Everything is not great, but I think how you gratify or appreciate what you have matters, even if it’s not “balanced”.

[MiniTangled]

Fr. Mike words things so amazingly in his proclaims.

[rosexavier]

I love him!!! Always says the right thing at the right time.

[funnynickline]

'Godbless Us all Father Mike Jesus is the way.., and in there I have a balanced life.

[TMHoff-mxdr]

I have always found it interesting how there are so few married saints that were married throughout their life. There are certainly saints that were widowed and chose a vocation of priesthood or became a sister, but so few who the church has canonized while staying completely engaged in the vocation of marriage. It makes those of us who are married and seeking to live a life as a reflection of the lives of our favorite saints feel like we will never achieve sainthood because the vocation of marriage and ultimately parenthood seems to distract from a total devotion to God. Add to that the fact that in most households, both parents must work to make ends meet so there is another distraction to keep you from an intimate relationship with God. This is something I struggle with as I learn more and more about the saints. But I have come to this conclusion. Even married people can be saints. We may not have the time to spend hours in prayer or adhere to a regular attendance of the Liturgy of the Hours or even daily mass (although I make that a priority for myself)...but when we are performing our duties in our chosen and God given vocation, we can still maintain an intimate relationship with Christ. What I find myself doing is incorporating him in everything I do. From something as simple as doing laundry to something as complex as saying a Rosary as I swim 2 miles everyday and work with patients as an Aquatic Physical Therapist. I think by being the change you wish to see, you become a tangible example of a living saint or at least the best version of St. “You” you can be, given the time and talent that you have in the present moment. So as disheartening as it can be that I feel called to have a deeper relationship with Christ as a sister, I must keep in mind that even our priests and nuns had parents that gave them the foundation to seek this relationship with the Lord through their vocation. I also look to he Blessed Mother. She was married and had a child to care for and she is perhaps the best example of sainthood we can ask for intercession from while seeking balance in our lives! I may not become a canonized saint of the Catholic Church, but I may be the inspiration and motivating force to help my children seek to become saints in their chosen vocation!

[shirleymejia]

You're so great Father Mike, thanks a lot for all your reflections! They help me so much, God bless you.

[LRSLR]

You have impeccable timing. Thanks for all the amazing videos!

[emmanuelperrault]

Why do all these videos feel so relevant at their uploaded time? I don't get how it lines up perfectly with my life. You mad e a video about suicide like 2 months ago and it came out the days within the time of my thoughts. Now I'm all good, got my goals, I've got many goals and this video tells me exactly what I need to hear. Like I already know these things I just need to hear them.