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 the 3 Steps to get God’s Peace. As I am getting older, I don’t know why, but worry creeps in more and more. I know Philippians 4:6-7, but thank you for “putting it” this way. I was inspired to make bookmarks for myself and my sisters in Christ!
Thank you, this is exactly what I needed today. I had a complete melt down yesterday and I think it was as much from worry as it was from all that is on my plate. I have a huge project that I’m working on at work, I don’t feel like I get to see my two small children enough, I’m in the early stages of a third baby that I don’t know how we are going to add to the mix, I’m worry about how this baby is growing, my husband is worried about it too and constantly talking all sorts of crazy, and I’m just overwhelmed. Thank you for reminding me to hit the pause button and to pray. And the reminder to keep thanking God after that. I know this, but I forget it. I left life’s worries, problems, and crazy overwhelm me and when I should be running to God I’m stuck where I am having a melt down without Him. Thank you for sharing!
Renee – thank you for being open and honest and sharing this devotional with us. This is exactly what I NEEDED to hear. I’ve been so guilty of letting worry consume and wear me out. I’m starting to learn how to listen to God’s truths and to use them to combat the lies the devil tries to tell me…to guard my heart and mind with His peace. Thank you again. God bless!
good morning,
I have been consumed with worry and one day I layed in my bed face down and prayed to God and sincerely prayed for peace and direction and I tell you it really helped and still in the midst of what is going on I still praise God and listen to sermons and praise and worship music just to keep myself knowledgeable that God is still present and he is working on my behalf , Stay encouraged
thanks so much for this- i really need this today. endless things to do, countless errands, prayer requests, never ending thoughts and worries.
you remind me that these are not all mine-
Well I definitely need this reminder as my husband & I are walking through a very tough season that seems to have no end in sight…but I know God is faithful…I just need to keep faithfully looking at Him & not the problems that are overwhelming. Thanks for sharing…timeless wisdom!!!
Thanks for this devotion. It was what I really needed today.
Wow – your devotion was eye-opening. I have been overwhelmed with worry. What a great word to help me gain perspective. I will definitely be working on my to-do list and praying over it. Thanks!
Not worrying and leaving “situations” to God has always been my strength. Lately I have let worry consume my life. Trying to take control and not allowing God to work in my life. Thank you for allowing God to use you and touch my heart today. I need reminding that God is and always has been in control. Worry is wasted time, a detour in my life and something that has blocked my walk with Him.
Thank you for your devotional today. I am going to try this. I have some heavy things on my mind and I allow myself to worry too much instead of running to my Father. I know he will take care of all my needs. I just need to trust more and worry less.
Renee; I’m so thankful for your devotion today on worry. I too, tend to get overwhelmed often, not because I haven’t enough time, but because I can’t seem to organize in my mind, all the things I need to do. I like your suggestion to make a list of my concerns. I believe that will help me look at my life from God’s perspective. Thanks again; Nena
You are so right about not allowing ourselves get overwhelmed with worries now being a mother of teen agers it is something I have to work at hard everyday. You and your entire staff help me do that I am so grateful that I heard of Proverb 31 on our Klove radio station. May God bless you and continue to strengthen you, thank you .
Driving to work several situations I’m going through were really weighing on me. Today’s devotional was exactly what I needed to put everything into perspective. You know in the back of your mind you should turn it over to God, but often that is the last option you think about. This was a wonderful reminder of what our first priority should be when an issue creeps into our lives. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this! I was just
Feeling overwhelmed with my own expectations to be physically, emotionally and mentally strong and sometimes so easily try to find this on my own strength. Thank you reminding me through the scriptures and He wants us to run to Him, and I can do that and depend on His grace because it’s sufficient for me!
Another lie we listen to is that everyone else can handle so much more than we can. We feel alone in our inadequacies. Thank you for sharing . We can’t forget that God is waiting for us share our inadequacies and He will give us joy.
What a wonderful relief to me this morning. What a beautiful morning meditative prayer. I may just be a stay at home mom, but I feel overwhelmed a lot when I walk around my home and begin to make mental lists of everything that needs to be done on top of raising my 3 girls (under 4 years old). This is a beautiful way to start and go through my day. Thank you!!
I needed to hear these words today more than anything. As a single mother of two small children, working full time in the ER and being a full time online student there are days I feel like giving up. Days I feel worthless, not a good enough mother and missing out on time with my kids. There are times I find myself laying in bed begging God to give me the strength to make it one more day to be the best mom I can be and to know that HE is in control! Even times that I feel alone I am not. My God is my refuge,my peace, and my comfort!
Oh how I needed this today!! I’ve been so overwhelmed lately with so much going on between now and 12/12/15. I have to remember that I can’t achieve goals, deadlines or be successful without fully surrendering to God and having Him with me every step of the way no matter how big or small the task.
This is exactly what I needed to read right now. I struggle with saying no, I love to help people, but then I become overwhelmed, but maybe I need not worry and just trust God more.
Wow what a great way to start the day. I love your wisdom and will remember these pieces of truth when I feel this way. Thank you for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway! Blessings on your day.