When life gets overwhelming, do you ever feel like you might suffocate under everything you need to do?
Does worry ever weave it’s way into your heart and consume your thoughts with concern?
If I’m not careful, worry can wear me out and make me want to quit… just about everything!
A few years ago, I took my husband’s advice to write down everything on my plate so I could ask God what needed to be cut back. I listed my commitments and concerns, deadlines and dates on my calendar with every appointment, event, conference call and meeting I could think of for the next six months.
And I prayed: Please God, show me where I need to make changes.
I assumed the Holy Spirit would suggest adjustments in my schedule, but that’s not what happened. God didn’t tell me to make cut backs at work or in ministry. He didn’t show me our family had too many activities. He didn’t challenge me to take a sabbatical, although I was hoping He would.
Jesus showed me it was worry — not my workload — that was making me weary.
You see, without realizing it I was spending as much time thinking and worrying about concerns, commitments, circumstances and deadlines as I did working on them.
It was not only how I spent my time, but how I spent my thoughts that left me depleted.
But it wasn’t until I brought it all to God, and wrote it all out, that I recognized what was happening. I wonder if that’s why Peter tells us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
The apostle Paul tells us the same thing, and shows us how:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and A him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
But it’s not easy. Honestly, our natural tendency is to take control. And we have an enemy who suggests we do. But we don’t have to listen to the lies. Instead we can listen to God’s promises, and take these 3 steps to get God’s peace:
CLICK HERE to Download “3 Steps to Get God’s Peace”
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Worry creeps in sometimes, My Husband and I are both facing chronic illnesses. Hardships are many. I know keeping my eyes on God is what keeps me grounded,keeps me humble,makes me grateful and most of all faithful.
Thank you for this devotional. Worry is something I definitely struggle with daily. Worry about finances, worry about my children making right choices, worry about am I really doing what God put me on this earth to do, etc…. Thank you again.
My battle is with my thoughts. I appreciate this reminder to take every thought captive to Christ.
Thanks!
I think this is a great go to verse – for 3 words of encouragement – needed to read this thank you
Today I completed Day 60 of A Confident Heart. I want to say Thank You Rene from the bottom of my heart. This devotional came just when I had lost every ounce of confidence that I had. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this devotional ministered to me. I wanted so much for someone to just listen and understand and that came from your book. You described so many of the emotions I too was experiencing and reminded me that God’s love and compassion was there to see me through this time. Page 167 of the book (I was reading the book and devotion at the same time) was a turning point for me. I was experiencing so much of what you were describing. At the same time I was at day 35 which was a perfect place be. They both spoke to my heart in such a powerful way. I too had experienced a number of recent emotional draining situations. My brother died, a week later my mom died and 1 1/2 years later my Dad died and in the mix of all this work situations were almost intolerable. Today at day 60 I can honestly say I am so much stronger and I have PEACE. Thank you Rene for listening to the voice of God and writing this book.
This is right on time! I’m seperated from my husband at this time and we have a 3 year old little boy that currently resides with him. I’ve prayed and fasted and prayed and fasted and waited…God isn’t answering me right now. I alot lately get consumed with worry and fear concerning my son’s future potentially growing up in a ” Broken Home “. I want so badly to be a family again, but I sense in my spirit that right now it’s not time. It’s nice to read this and know that I’m not alone. I’ve been delivered form addiction and Satan uses that to make me feel like I’m not good enough for my husband and so many times I’ve gotten impatient waiting on the Lord and I’ve tried to make things happen in my own strength and I found myself right smack in the middle of my ” Addiction ” again. God’s timing is perfect and his ways are not the same as mine. It says in his word that if the birds don’t worry about what theyr’e gonna eat or where they are gonna sleep than why do we? Jesus asks are we not as good as the birds? So, I cling to that scripture and know in my heart that God has me right where he wants me. He has never left me and he’s always there for me. I choose to rest in his love and on his word instead of worrying and getting filled with fear and trying to make things happen in my own strength.
Great information really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for more. I’m an associate Pastor of a small church and I can see some of this information helping these people I teach. Thank you and God bless you.
Stop worrying, start praying and keep thanking God is a good way to find God’s peace. As women we are so prone to worry first. Thank you for this simple yet profound formula to redirect our thoughts to the promises of God and allow Him to help us get out of the worry trap.
I have spent more time worrying about how to put my thoughts on paper than actually writing. My goal of writing a book about our lives and ministry has overwhelmed me so much that I fail to write.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to stop worrying, pray and thank God for the opportunity to write our story. Actually it is His story of His faithfulness in our lives.
I have a VERY stressful administrative job and work with Doctors, my job is NEVER caught up. I tend to worry about it all the time, when i am at work and when I am at home. don’t think of myself as perfectionist just someone who likes to do a good job, on time and not be sooooo far behind all the time. It really bothers me. seems the more people tell me not to stress worry the more I do. I am also not sleeping at night (waking up 3-4 times a night) so that definitely does not help. Praying for Gods peace about all of this because i am so very, very weary. Giving it all over to GOD who I know loves me and wants good for me. Thank you for praying !! Thank you for the encouragement Renee!
Thank you for your inspiring words of encouragement ! God has been doing amazing things in my life and I’ve learned through my sobriety of 6 years, believing in God faithfully and loving myself all things can work out for the good, even under the circumstances I’m under right now 🙂
May God bless you 😉 Jen Hood
This is what I have been needing to hear.
Worry! Agh! It’s killing me! I’ve been working on this for years. I’ll try the writing it down bit. Here’s hoping it helps!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reminding us!! I am the worlds worst at not letting GOD do HIS job!!! This was a very needed reminder and something that God has really be challenging me with….Thanks
I have to say….that God has really been challenging me in this area. CONCERN!!! Wow.. I am not totally sure that shouldn’t be permanently part of my name sometimes! Although I know that God holds my days and my life in His hands…I cant seem to give up worrying and truly let God be God. Its amazing if you really think about it …God who put the entire world into existence…cares for every little detail of my life. AND, He even forgives me when I think of myself as able to do HIS job!!! Thanks for sharing this amazing devotional, this printable and all the wise words…..Its truly a blessing!
Thank you for the reminder that we need to trust God and not worry about things. I often pray to Him to take care of a problem and than I take it back. I love the stop worrying, start praying, keep thanking God.
Totally weary from worry, I cried to God to help me. I turned to read scripture and then wandered into this devotion. It was exactly what I needed…a light along my path. Our God is an awesome God!
I so find what you have to say/share so helpful and most always where I’m at and what I need! Thank you!
I LOVE this! What an amazing “aha moment” from The Holy Spirit. I often feel so exhausted by what I believed to be an overworked and overbooked schedule, but what I was really facing was exhaustion from WORRY! I would be consumed with “what do I need to do next? When is this appointment? etc”. I would dread busy days and approach them in a way that I became exhausted before the day even began. Thank you for sharing!!!
Loved the line “It wasn’t only how I spent my time, but how I spent my thoughts that depleted me.” Great post, thank you!
This is just in time for me and a few of my friends. Thank you so much. Seems like I need to be reminded often.