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!
This was definitely what I needed to hear! Putting our trust in God and resting in Him despite everything he calls us to do is much more sustainable than overthinking and trying to control everything. Thanks so much for writing this, Renee!
God’s timing is always so perfect. I’m so grateful for this post today, Renee. It seems your posts go right to my struggles. I was sitting here trying to figure out how to get it “all” done today and here’s your message. Thank you.
I downloaded the 3 Steps to God’s Peace and love it. Thank you for the reminder that it’s really that simple. Love reading your book, A Confident Heart. Would love to win the devotional that goes along with it. 🙂
Wow Renee can I relate! I work full time and take care of my wonderful and sweet 86 year old mother. Our roles have reversed and I am now the mom and she my daughter. We laugh at this statement and know that I was in the best care with her when I was a child add now she is in the best care with me as an elderly lady. She is such a blessing! I do catry a heavy load and can see now that a lot of it is indeed worry. What a difference it makes just knowing that I need to unload my worries at the foot of the almighty ones cross. Thank you for sharing your story. You are a blessing to me today.
Renee,
Thank you so much for your timely devotion today. As women, we tend to take everything on and easily get overwhelmed. Even if it’s just ‘thinking’ about it all; that’s still too much. Your message is a wonderful reminder that God does not want us to live overwhelmed lives, rather to rest in His gentle assurance that He has it all under control and will gladly share the burden if we just give it to Him.
Thank you and God Bless.
Thank you for these words. I needed to hear this today
I needed these words, thank you. I worry about too many things and have really been trying to just put in all in God’s hands.
He has never left me or let me down, thanks for reminding me.
Laura
Just “push the pause button”! Of course! Why have I never thought of it this way. God has already been working on my heart about trusting him and giving him my issues. I have a tendency to worry and over think things. Today it seems his message to me is “it’s easier than you are making it. Just push pause and pray right then.” Thank you for words and message today!
today i was visited yet again by regrets of past mistakes that have consequences that will most likely be with me the rest of my life. i have days when i get very discouraged because i can’t find a way to fix things. i needed this blog to remind me God is bigger than my mistakes!
This was a wonderful devotion to remind us to “listen” to what God is revealing moment to moment and to turn all of our concerns over to him, moment by moment. Thank you for your words of encouragement today and using what God has given you to inspire people in all walks of life. Clarity of mind in making the best decisions regarding time, and using it in the way God desires for me at this stage of my life is eluding me. Your words today are a reminder that God is a healer and can certainly provide the peace needed. Thank you.
Thanks for the encouragement. Many sleepless nights as feel I’m the “Evil Step-mother”
This is me to a tee! My son has told me for years that I make mountains out of mole hills. I often lets my thoughts overwhelm me and cause me to worry when all I need to to is remember that Jesus will hear my prayers if I would just go to him and ask him for peace and guidance.
Will post this on the frigde as a daily reminder thanks
Thank you for reminding us that worry and anxious thoughts can rob us of our peace and joy. I believe that is why Jesus always said “My Peace I give you or leave with you”. Satan’s major tactic is causing us to fret and worry.
I am leading my first Bible study beginning this Saturday and I find myself worrying about whether I will be good enough to do this – will I be smart enough, funny enough, engaging enough, etc. In reality, I know I am not enough alone but with God I am more than enough because His will be done if I let it. I am praying for His words, His vision, His guidance in this endeavor and I am grateful He is allowing me to be a part of it!
I am a constant planner! God is teaching me to REST and let him do the planning! That helps me with worry! Not my agenda but His
(for a change)
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man but it is the purpose of the Lord that will last.” Proverbs 19:21
Dear Renee, Thank you & God Bless you abundantly for all of your sharing from your heart. I am so blessed to be following you for sometime now & just want to say thank you.
Have a Blessed, restful day in the Lord! Amen
I have been consumed with worry the last few months. I know it is affecting me emotionally and physically. I have been trying to place my worries in God’s hands but once I do that I don’t know how to really stop worrying.