Hurry: You’re Not the Boss of Me

We’ve been working through a series called "You’re not the boss of me," identifying the "bad bosses"—like fear, guilt, and bitterness—that Satan uses to steal, kill, and destroy. This week, we’re tackling a boss that feels entirely modern but has been wreaking havoc for decades: Hurry Sickness.

Do You Have Hurry Sickness?

Answer the following questions "yes" or "no":

• I find myself switching lanes in traffic or lines at the grocery store just to save thirty seconds, and I get frustrated if the line I left starts moving faster.
• I can’t do just one thing at a time. I’m checking emails while eating, or scrolling social media while talking to a friend.
• I feel a low-grade simmer of frustration toward anyone who "slows me down," whether it’s a slow-talking coworker or a child who can’t find their shoes.
• I feel guilty or anxious when I’m not being productive, even during times meant for rest or vacation.

If you answered "yes" to two or more, you likely have "hurry sickness." Coined by cardiologists in the 1950s, it isn’t just about having a busy schedule; it is an unrelenting sense of urgency that makes you feel as though you must constantly move faster. It’s physically and spiritually dangerous, yet Jesus offered the antidote 2,000 years ago.

The Antidote: The Yoke of Jesus

In Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT), Jesus says: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

A yoke was designed for two oxen. A veteran, experienced ox would be paired with a younger, untrained one. The veteran set the pace and the direction, while the younger ox learned to work without exhausting itself. Jesus is the veteran ox. When we "take his yoke," we aren't getting a license to be lazy—we are learning the unhurried "way of Jesus." He wasn't arrogant or forceful; he was humble and gentle. He didn't burn out because he knew how to lead.

How to Break Free from Hurry

Jesus was never in a hurry because he lived with intention. If you want to stop letting "hurry" be the boss of your life, you need to adopt these practices:

1. Learn to say "No." Jesus constantly walked away from crowds, demands, and even "good" things to pray. If you are saying "yes" to every activity, social obligation, and request, you are inviting hurry to rule you.
2. Practice the Sabbath. God designed the Sabbath as a test of trust (Exodus 20:8-10). If you can't stop working for 24 hours without panicking, you aren't the one in control—your work is. Sabbath is the ultimate declaration that the world won't fall apart if you stop, because you are not God.
3. Embrace "Slow" Disciplines. Jesus practiced solitude (Luke 5:16) and silence (1 Kings 19:12). In a world of constant noise, we must intentionally pull away to listen for God’s "gentle whisper." Whether it's taking a walk without a podcast, eating without distractions, or spending time in prayer, these practices ground us in God’s presence rather than our own productivity.

Hurry is a thief. It steals your peace, your health, and your relationships. Jesus came to give you a "rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10). It’s time to stop trying to be the boss and start walking in the unhurried, gentle way of Jesus.