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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Thank you for this encouragement. I want to give God all my concerns and be living in His peace!
Wow! This blog hit me square between the eyes! It was if you got in my head! Timely message I needed at just the right time. I have had worry/stress on me for way to long. As a veteran church staff person for over three decades, I have felt as if at times I am carrying the whole church on my shoulders. If I don’t get this done or contact this person or prepare this lesson….I fail someone. Someone who needs God. Who needs reassurance. Who needs a word from me. Thank you
, I have printed the words to hang next to my computer to remind me of Who is in charge and Who I should give my worries to and who loves me!
Blessings!
Most timely message… I have a great friend who picks up more than her share of worries. It’s taking a toll on her physicality, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually… Consuming her! I can gently share your thoughts and scriptures to help her let go of the exhausting sin of worry and allow God to be in control… And the peace He brings when one allows Him to be our strength and refuge. (She could use a spa day basket in her ‘be still & know God’ time!). May He continue to bless you and your work !
WOW you were talking right to me today. I worry about everything . . . . my plate is full of worry that I’m overwhelmed. I need a vacation from my worry. I have printed 3 Steps to Get God’s Peace and it’s going on my wall at work, on the refrigerator and on my bathroom mirror. Right now I am worrying about my daughter and son-in-law moving all the way across country to California . . . I’m worrying about my son and his finances, I’m worrying about my ex-husband finding a place to live, I’m worrying about doing good at my job, I’m worrying about having to make cupcakes for our luncheon at work this coming Monday . . . I could go on and on. I am in the meltdown stage but I have no support but GOD. Thank you Renee for inspiring me.
Thank you for the reminder that our thoughts can be consuming and depleting us of energy that could be used for more productive things! I needed this today!
Thank you so much. I spent many hours (again) last night worrying. I need God’s direction but instead of trusting that HE will show me what I need to do…I worry. Thank you for these words. I will take your advice
Thank you for this well-timed discussion. I have downloaded, saved and printed 3 Steps to Get God’s Peace and will carry it with me everywhere. Like so many of the other women, I am at a place in my life in which I find myself doubting my abilities to be successful in so many areas. In my heart, I know that I am a great mom and wife, but my thoughts don’t always agree. We are trying to move back home to our home state and that move all depends on my ability to get a job. I actually find myself worrying about how much I worry.
While I know that I should not worry about that which I cannot change, following those words is not easy. Thank you again for your blog and for the printable resource to remind me how much worrying wearies us all.
Have a blessed and beautiful day!
Great word to start the day! My worry is more about relationships than a to-do list, but worry is worry, I guess. Thanks for the three steps to peace. I’m going to post that somewhere to be reminded of God’s love and care.
Renee,
Thank you and thank God! This message was so on time for me today. As a single mom, work, 4 kids, ministry, my aging mother… I often feel like I am drowning. This is a wonderful remember to stop and go to God, not just with the big things, but with EVERYTHING. I certainly cannot do all this alone.
Thank you for today’s devotion. It reminded me to be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication, I can sum it my requests to God. Sometimes life seems overwhelming but it is good to know that we serve a God who cares.
Listen, this was much needed. Sometimes you feel crazy..behind worry! And because we’re taught not to talk about it..and that we should just be able to handle it all…I have berm left feeling like I’m the only person on Earth who goes through this. Thank you for your transparency and please keep it coming.
Thank you for the encouragement today Renee. ..I so appreciate your thoughtful inspiration. …I am receiving His peace today… thank you!!!!!
My best friend has allowed God to transform her life drastically, freeing her from the bondage of both physical and emotional struggles. She has become a completely different person in the last couple months. Unfortunately, Satan, tried to consume her thoughts just yesterday with bad news about her father’s health and some impending responsibiities. I pray today’s devotion will renew her hope and be an encouragement to continue trusting our Heavenly Father with all the details of her life.
It sure is easy to try to take control when we are unsure of what step to take next. I know I need to give my worries to God and soak in His Peace. A similar feeling happened to me when returning from a vacation once. Thank you for this reminder this morning that my need for control is an idol and can consume my thoughts. Control is for the timid! I will be brave today and really try to give my thoughts to God.
I’ve learned that in my most crucial moments in life that if I turn my gaze abs heart from the Lord every idol thought comes to mind. When I worry, it makes it all about me and less of God. Our health, witness, and mindset gets affected by not taking our thoughts captive and learning how to efficiently control our emotions. One of my favorite scriptures is to pour your heart out to the Lord, and He WILL be a refuge for you.
We must take our thoughts captive! So easy to worry, which probably comes from wanting to be in control, which we women are so good at! I know I am, which does not leave room for God’s peace, which Jesus offers so readily, if we would only stop, be still and listen to His thoughts.
What a great word! I get overwhelmed by the thought of all I need to do often. Your devotional book sounds right up my alley. I have struggled for a long time not feeling adequate in many areas. I have a hard time looking past all my mistakes and shortcomings.
Thank you for the encouraging words. Worry is too much a part of my life and I need to just turn it all over to God.
Stress anf worry has consumed me. Son getting married and parents not agreeing, school, no summer job, financial burden, house modeling, softball, where does it end??
Help me to release and pray for guidance.
I definitely needed this, this morning. I was awake at 5am with concern about our current finances. It was if God was wanting me to read this in my email!! Being a bit of a control freak that I am, its hard to not think about what my concerns are. It seems like all I do is worry. I know God is there for my weary mind, but its just hard. I will definitely post these 3 steps close by when I need a reminder that this to shall pass and God’s got it!! Thank you again for this devotion this morning!!
This is perfect for what I need! I am in a stressful time at my job, busy family activities and everyday I dread climbing out of bed to face another day! I realize my issues are my thoughts and concerns…..but I have a co-worker in the same situation. Going to share this with her…..
This spoke directly to me. Thank you so much.
This blog was so needed today. I am at meltdown point. Am posting these verses on my bathroom mirror and making my list to go to God. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing these blessed words of truth! Worry really is what clogs up my schedule and makes me feel tired. I’ve been wondering why I’ve felt so overwhelmed, why my “to-do list” just gets bigger and never smaller and why at the end of so many days it feels like I didn’t accomplish anything. A lot of the reason is procrastination. And I procrastinate because instead of just giving it to God, I worry about the particular task and wanting it to be perfect. Thank you for reminding me that worrying is just busywork, a waste of time and energy. It’s so much more productive to give all task straight to God.
I truly appreciate todays devotion. Worry has been something that I have struggled with ALL my life. I have gotten to a place where I know something has to change. I want to trust God but honestly feel like I don’t know how. I would love to find God’s peace. I pray often but find it challenging to surrender the load to him.
Thank you for this gentle reminder that God is bigger than all my worries, cares and concerns. Gratitude is the key to unlocking a better attitude!
Thank you for this word today-it is just what I needed to hear! Last night (and many of the nights before) I awakened in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep as anxious thoughts swirled around my head. Thank you for sharing a strategy I can use when those anxious thoughts overtake me!
Worry is my middle name! How many sleepless nights have I had because my mind won’t shut off. I know I need to let it all go and give everything to God. It’s a daily work in progress but comforting to see others share the same feelings. Thank you for today’s devotional and words of encouragement!
Love these words if encouragment. GOD is good.
Thank you, this is just what I needed. I was up all night with worry! I thought it was my work load but it was my worry load. Thank you for the 3 steps. I’ve read that verse many times and didn’t see it as my answer until today. I thank God for Proverbs 31 and all the wonderful writers. Praying for you today.
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.