When More Becomes Too Much

Why fewer choices may bring you closer to the peace you crave.

I won’t name names, but let’s just say there’s someone in my family who completely unravels the moment a decision is required. Even the simplest “this or that” sends them into emotional overload—as if choosing between option A and option B were a matter of life and death.

What about you?

Have you ever felt exhausted just by deciding what to buy at the supermarket? If so, you’re not alone. Research shows that too many options can actually stress us out (go figure). In Growing in Circles, Paul Harcourt shares that in 2015 Tesco removed 30,000 products from their shelves—one third of what they were offering—because simpler stores like Aldi and Lidl, with only 2,000–3,000 products, were thriving.

Turns out, less truly is more.

More isn’t always better. The same is true in our walk with God. We are bombarded with noise, choice, and distraction. The modern world pushes us to believe we need to keep our options open. Yet Scripture paints a different picture: true life is found not in endless possibilities but in a focused pursuit.

Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

The verb zēteite (“seek”) is continuous in the Greek—it means an ongoing, steady pursuit, not an occasional glance. It’s about narrowing our gaze.

Again + again.

Think of young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. He grew up in the house of the Lord, surrounded by the bustle of sacrifice, the duties of the priesthood, and the background noise of a nation in spiritual drift. Yet the first time he heard God’s voice wasn’t in the busyness of the day but in the quiet of the night. When the lamps were still burning low, when activity ceased, when even Eli had gone to bed—then the Lord called his name.

Verse 1 tells us, “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there were not many visions” (1 Samuel 3:1). The Hebrew word for “rare” (yāqār) can mean ‘precious, costly, scarce’. God’s voice was not drowned out by too many choices; rather, His word was weighty and rare, worth leaning into.

Samuel’s shema—his listening—began when other voices were silent.

We live in a world that confuses abundance with life. But the kingdom of God isn’t about endless options; it’s about one centre, one focus, one Lord, one thing. Psalm 27:4 puts it this way: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord.”

Turns out that freedom doesn’t come from having 90,000 products on the shelf. It comes from narrowing down to the one thing, the one voice, the one pursuit that truly satisfies.

Today, try this: Where do you need to simplify? Perhaps it’s saying no to a good thing to make space for the best thing. Perhaps it’s silencing unnecessary noise so you can hear the still, small voice of God.

Lord, forgive me for thinking life is found in endless choices. Teach me the freedom of focus. Like Samuel, may I be awake to Your voice in the quiet places, ready to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” Amen.

Let’s chat and grow together:

What distraction or “extra option” could you set aside this week in order to give more attention to God’s voice?

PS – A Special Invitation for the Ladies!

If today’s reflection on simplicity and focus has resonated with you, I’d love to invite you to our Established Conference 2026. The theme is TH1NG – One Thing, and together we’ll be exploring what it means to live with undivided hearts and clear focus in a world of noise and distraction.

Our early bird tickets are now available until the end of September. After that, the price will increase. This will be a gathering of women hungry for God’s presence, and I would love to see you there.

I’ll be speaking alongside my fellow Substack friend

Jo Hargreaves

and Becky Murray, Founder of international charity One by One. It promises to be a powerful time of worship, teaching, and encounter.

Click below to secure your early bird ticket now.

Until then, may you find the joy of hearing God’s voice more clearly as you make space for the one thing that matters most.

Em 💛