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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I don’t always get a chance to read the Encouragement for Today, but for some reason I was compelled to open – When Concern Consumes Me. Maybe because just 5 minutes before this I was telling a friend that I was feeling anxious this week. If someone didn’t respond to a text right away, I started worrying that maybe they were mad at me. Then started that feeling in the pit of your stomach – when you think you did something wrong. Also at work I was feeling overwhelmed at the amount of work I have, and was thinking, why bother, I’ll never catch up.
So your devotion was a perfect fit for me today – I am spending more time worrying about things, than actually accomplishing them. I need to give God all my worries, and focus on the things I have to do, one job at a time. And as for the friends…. just because they don’t respond right away, usually has nothing to do with me. I need to let go, and trust God – He is my refuge and strength – He will never abandon me and will always hear my voice when I cry out to him with my troubles. Praise his holy name!!!
What a great way to start the day, and to share with friends! My work is so overwhelming. God has put answers in the midst just yesterday, now I am just waiting for His timing and having patience, continuing to thank Him. I could not do my work without Him. Thank you for your 3 steps I will keep this at my desk at work and one at home. You encouraged my day!!
One of my favorite scriptures there. I like the way you’ve shared it. Thanks and God bless!
I awoke this morning with a heavy heart for a teenage who just had a baby (beautiful, I might add), and a co-worker that has given up on her marriage (she is literally having a “mid-life crisis”!). We all know a heavy heart often means a worried heart. I debated on reading my bible or reading a devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministries this morning – I’m glad I chose the latter. I’m worried! Have you ever had the urge to shake someone- you know – shake some sense into their head and knock the stupid out? Your devotional has been a great help and eased the worry – I’m still worried but will give it to God. I’m going to pray more for these two women and worry less. Thank you and God bless.
This was so perfect and timely for me right now. As of late, I’ve struggled with some serious anxiety and haven’t been able to make sense of it’s origin. I’ve been working through this a lot and your post has she’s a lot if light, encouragment and PRACTICAL help! God is so good. Thank you!
I am going to set the 3 steps picture as the lock screen on my phone! 26,single mom of two and I am in desperate need of brain surgery. Worry is something that I can’t escape. I live in a battle field of fear and worry constantly giving myself a hard time. I have been seeking a way to find peace but have been unsuccessful, keeping myself up late at night wondering if I will ever have enough money to pay for surgery.
Thank you for these words of encouragement.
This past year I have learned so much on how to surrender my worries to God. The majority of my worries are behind me and I’ve learned to lean on God’s strength so much. He has provided me peace, knowing that He makes everything happen for a purpose.
Now……of course, there are always those worries in life that seem so BIG, that you just can’t imagine letting someone else take control……right? Even if you do allow God to take control, there is sometimes that thought of taking certain worries back into your hands.
I am in this state right now.
I’ve been offered a job that pays well and will make me the youngest woman to ever work in this specific field. This was very attractive to me and I began to dream of how my life could be…..enough money to help bring the gospel to the third worlds, big home with extra room for missionaries, luxury car, and being able to buy nearly anything without worrying the cost. I thought to myself, “This is totally the Lord!” Right!???…….Wrong. You see, I never prayed about this first. Thinking that I was already destined to work for this company, I felt it was “the Lord’s calling” and He would work it all out for me. After a couple months of studying I was ready for the test. I took the test. I did not pass. But, the company was impressed with the scores for someone my age that they decide to work with me until I passed, even if it took a few more tries.
Though I was thrilled about this, I never felt at ease whenever I prayed throughout this three-month process and even when praying about the future tests that were planned. Inside, I KNEW that God did not want me to continue. It was oh, so hard for me to believe this truth. It hurt so much that I did not know what to do. How could I make the right choice without His guidance and strength? There was no way! So after a couple months of struggling with this “tug-of-war” game in my mind, I finally gave in and asked God to give me the strength to say “no” to this job. He did. What a tremendous peace that came over me that day!
Currently, I am in a “Famine” stage after crossing that line. My future is completely “blank” to me as I am not taking any more college classes. I did not feel compelled to achieve a degree, I don’t know if I will ever get married, and the only passion I have is encouraging other young women in their walk with God.
I know in reality this seems like a recipe for disaster.
But, how much does God need in order to do something incredible with one’s life? Pondering that, I realize He just needs someone willing to listen and obey with a passion to encourage and serve.
He is the potter…I am the clay. I can’t remember the last time I heard of the clay fighting the potter!
Though I’ve continued to go back to “the line” and say to myself, ” Maybe I need to try again”, I realize that this is just a game between my will and my God. Each of us is drawn away from God’s perfect will for us because we are mesmerized by the desires our flesh. We, each of us, really needs to take every thought captive and invite God to come beside us to help us choose that which will bring us to what we were called for.
So, It’s my choice to live for me or for Him………I always choose the latter.
Many blessings,
Micaela
Just more confirmation from yesterday of what I need to be doing with all the unrest, anxiety, and turmoil within my soul over things from the past and present over which I have no control. Thank you for allowing God to use you as a reminder and confirmer of what He has placed on others hearts.
Thank you for this! We are a military family overseas and are seeking guidance from God for how He wants to use us now and what steps we should be taking for the future. I am praying hard for peace and patience as we listen for an answer.
This is exactly what I needed to hear today!
Wow what a blessing as I picked up Stress less living today to reread and then this. Thank you Lord for how you fill me with women who love you and love others. This message I feel was written just for me and how I feel right at this moment. Thank you for Renee for listening to the Holy Spirit who is guiding you to help others. I am confident that this message will help others and I am looking forward to the continued blessing of this message thank you again and God bless this much needed message to women.
Wow…. It was like God had you write “when concern consumes me” just for me. Thank you. I should never doubt God’s awesomeness! God Bless!
Thank you for the inspiration! I call on God often but I need more confidence that He will grant my requests. I need to let go and let God take over.
Thanks for this reminder today, Renee! Just last week I thought I couldn’t handle “one more thing!” and God allowed me rest in the midst of my already busy schedule to just be (and go to bed early) and that helped me re-focus on what was really important. And that was making sure I didn’t miss the “one thing” in my day that helped balance my day, therefore my week, and that is time alone with the Lord each morning before I start my day. 🙂
Just when I feel that I can’t do it all, I take a minute to say a prayer and ask for help and guidance. Works every time. God is good.
I am so guilty of worrying about things instead of praying about them. Learning to lay my problems at the feet of our Lord (instead of worrying about them) is one of my most important goals. Please pray for me.
I totally understand a “meltdown”! I’ve allowed at times my thoughts to wonder about the outcome of my Setember 2014 breast cancer diagnosis. It always seems to hit after my husband brings me home from a “chemo day”. The Lord is forever faithful to whisper to me “I care about EVERY detail of your life”. It’s just remembering to take those negative thoughts captive thru the tears!!!! Since my mastectomy in February, the cancer is gone but I will continue infusions every 3 weeks until September 2015.
Thanks Renee, for more truth on receiving God’s Peace! Your book “A Confident Heart” has been a life saver when I need to adjust my thinking, and hear God’s truth.
Blessings to you!
O my gosh I LOVE this!!! I loved participating in the Confident Heart ObS and I would love the devotional book!