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”
ENTER TO WIN
Click “Share Your Thoughts” and do just that. Your comment will be your entry into my “Heart-and-Soul Spa” gift-pack GIVEAWAY that includes my A Confident Heart Devotional book, my favorite prayer journal from DaySpring and a $10 Bath & Body Works gift card!
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I love the reminder in this devotional to give Jesus our burdens. It is not always possible to clear our lives or schedules to a point where we do not feel overwhelmed but Jesus wants us to enjoy our journey. When I get stressed with my schedule I like to just repeat to my self “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” saying the words will help me focus on the task and not look at the big picture.
I really enjoyed this devotional. Its like you read my mind! Thank you for the inspiration!
I have often told my students that they spend more time dreading, worrying, and complaining about an assignment than the actual time it would take for them to complete it. If only I would take my own advice and apply it to my life in the area of worry and concern. I think sometimes I even trick myself into thinking that I am justified in having a concern and there isn’t anything wrong with “thinking” through concerns. However, your thoughts this morning definitely hit home for me and I appreciate your words of encouragement. We serve a mighty God that wants to relieve us of ALL our worries and concerns. Hallelujah!
Oh my! The daily devotional came at time I needed it. I sometimes drift into a state where which I contemplate how scenarios will be carried out that never come to exist. I put myself through these horrible emotions when I can just release them to The Lord . This is a practice I am workin on and grateful to be reminded and supported by the devotionals and supplemental aids you provide. I thank God for directing me to you. I grow so weary and my strength gets so depleted. However, your readings provide my “pick me up” to go forward. Thank you. I would love to win the spa package that would certainly be a special treat.
Thanks for the encouragement… In the hospital and needed the reminder to cast my cares on Him. God bless.
We need to move out of the house we have been in for 15 years. We need to buy a house but need a down payment. I am not worried at all. I posted Scriptures of God’s promises on the bathroom mirror to remind me not to worry and to give Him my burdens. Today’s devotional was a reminder to give it all to Him. Thank you
As a pastor’s wife, mother of 6, and high school teacher I have often found myself undone by worry. I have studied worrying in countless ways trying to get victory over this HUGE very big issue in my life. Your idea that worry is not allowing God to control my thoughts was revolutionary. It is so simple, but until now, I haven’t been able to see it that way. Thank you for being God’s mouthpiece to me.
Thank you for the simple yet hard hitting points. It was just the words i needed to refocus and find some peace
It’s not easy to step away from your worries—a lot of us hold on to them because we don’t know what else to do and in weird way, holding on and worrying makes us feel like we have some control over it somehow. It is so true that it is not necessarily all that we have on our plate that stresses us out, but how we THINK about and worry about all those things that leaves us depleted. God is amazing and I love seeing how so many women can be reached through your blog and other’s like it. Thank you 🙂
Thank you for your encouraging words this morning. There are many times when I get so overwhelmed and want to throw the towel in. This helps me focus on giving it ALL to Christ instead of holding on to the things that I have NO control over.
I am a world class worrier. I don’t mean to be…it just sneaks up on me. It is the roaring lion (satan) trying to defeat me. Thank you for the reminder in the key verse and the step! I truly needed it this morning!
Thank you Renee!! I don’t need to make a to-do list to know worry is the issue. The stress of charge and a dysfunctional work team is overwhelming, but I can’t change anyone except myself. Your devotional book sounds like just what I need right now!
I had never thought about freeing up my time from worry. I am very aware of not over committing myself or family to things we have to do, but I do have terrible anxiety. In fact, had to start back on ulcer medication yesterday. God, thank you for putting this before my eyes today and let me be brave enough to bring all my concerns to you for help.
Thank you for such a beautiful reminder that our heavenly Father cares deeply for us and that I have no need to worry or stress about the business of lif. I am truly blessed by this mornings devotion, my heart feels lighter and the weight of all I need to do is a lot lighter. Once again thank you for the reminder that all I need is to give all my concerns to God. We most certainly serve a mighty and awesome God. Blessings to you And your ministry.
Love,
Yours Truly,
Full of Faith,
Sandra Johnson
Thank you for your words of advice and encouragement this morning. Recently surviving breast cancer I know that God is an awesome God and he can deliver us from the torment of worry if we let Him.
Thank you, thank you! This book sounds like it’s exactly what I need to read next. God always provides what I need when I need it. He always has the answers. Just reading this devotional today and learning about this book has given me hope.
Blessed by this post today. As a mom of 3 beautiful babies under 5 years old, it’s easy for me to get stressed out with worry & busyness. And being called to ministry without a clear direction yet gets me frustrated at times as well…waiting is hard. But God knows, He sees my struggles & He wants me to allow Him to be enough, because He is so much more than enough. It’s all for Him anyway. Thanks for your insight & encouragement!
I pray that learning to Let it Go and put Action behind those words I would have less worry and stress. To see what God sees my inner beauty allow me Lord to Find My a Faith Again .Amem
I thank you today its like this is written for me. My sister in Christ i have a big womens event and bit worried about finances for it and feeling i am neglecting my family, because of work and ministry work. So today i felt a little overwhelmed but then you reminded me so beautifully the caregiver will take care of me and everything else . So thank you Lord for sending this word all the way from the states to south Africa just for me. Showing me already your hand is never to short. Bless this community and my sister and her team with all they need in anyway or form double portion Jesus please. thank you dated 22/04/2015.
I would try it. I feel very low at the moment and I find it difficult to pray. When I kneel to pray, I am just blank.
I hope God sees my heart that I need him especially now in my point of total weakness…
Take heart, dear, God is faithful. He hears us and knows our needs…more than we realize. He has given us the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us…especially when words fail us.
Romans 8:26 New International Version (NIV)
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
God Bless you and keep you
I am always worrying about everything. God has been right beside me over the last few months giving me strength, comfort & peace in my time of need. Only because I have really been trying to study His word more, pray & write in my journal daily. Phil. 4:6 has really been my daily verse. Thank you for your thoughts & wisdom from the Lord that you share to help us all become better women.