Principles of Balance

In thinking about balance, several principles stand out as universal in our struggle. As we work to obtain and maintain balance, we must always keep in mind that balance:

  1. Requires movement. To stay balanced, we must constantly move and adjust. Sometimes, the adjustments are small and invisible to others, but they always exist.
  2. Exists as a constant goal. Our physical bodies constantly work toward balance, toward homeostasis. The desire for balance exists as naturally as the function of our physical bodies. We can never escape this continual striving for balance.
  3. Needs focus. When doing a tree pose in yoga, focusing on a fixed point in front of you helps maintain balance. When your gaze wanders, balance becomes an increasing struggle.
  4. Can improve. The more you do the tree pose, balance becomes easier. The more you consistently work at it, the better your ability to stay balanced.
  5. Keeps drama and chaos at bay. In some variety shows, acrobats show off their balancing skills by complicating the situation with people balanced upon people balancing a variety of objects. In real life, drama within balance only leads to chaos and overload.
  6. Looks different for every person. Everyone has unique limits. Everyone holds unique gifts and abilities. Our ability to balance is unique to us. The basic principles stay the same, but we all obtain balance uniquely.
  7. Requires honesty and humility. We need to rest and readjust regularly. We need help in living a balanced life. Not admitting these realities means choosing the hard — and likely impossible — path to balance.

Before we can consider the activity of balance within the various aspects of our lives, we have to first realize the importance that having an accurate scale plays in achieving, maintaining, and assessing balance.

An Accurate Scale

“Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.” Proverbs 16:11)

The Bible talks about the importance of having a fair and just scale, one that accurately weighs and balances whatever it measures. That’s what we need for our lives too.

Comparisons are not accurate; neither are we able to accurately measure our own balance (2 Corinthians 10:12). God needs to be the scale. Only He knows what balances means for each individual, and he tells us through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit. The only way to obtain and maintain a balanced life is to have it continually weighed, measured, and adjusted by the only accurate and just scale available to us.