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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Renee. Thank you for this post. Although it was yesterday’s post,
God waited to let me see it today. It was exactly what I needed. I have cried the past two days. I have so much pressure on me and I have been consumed with worry. My mom just died 6 weeks ago. The day after her funeral, classes started for my last quarter of college. After 28
Years I am set to graduate on May 22nd providing I can get this research paper done by next week. Grief has prevented me from focusing. Days have turned to weeks and time is ticking by. I am frozen. Thank you for reminding me that Gods peace is always available and for me to present my requests to Jesus. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you to help me today. I saw you at the Cowgirl get together back a few months ago. I loved your testimony. Thank you again and I ask that you pray I can keep it together and graduate. My mom left this world knowing I would graduate and I need strength to make that happen. Love in Christ!
Thank you so much for sharing this. Perfectly timed~as always!
I immediately pinned it! I havent yet read the book but a devotional would be a kick start! I am printing and posting asap!
I worry even when I don’t think I am worrying. I give to God then take it back. Ugh! What is wrong with me? Lord, please forgive my unbelief and help me keep my focus on you.
I love that we can go to God with every worry, burden and need. This is a wonderful reminder to leave it all in His hands and to pray to him. I often converse with him when I’m driving in the car. Laying everything out before him and thanking him for the great God he is and all the amazing things he does in our lives. Be blessed. xxx
Until I read this post, it didn’t occur to me that my fatigue could be from worrying so much. I need to “let go and let God”. That is my goal for this week. I forget that I need not worry. God’s got me covered. Thank you for the reminder. And thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking away my worries!
I love this 3 step approach and found that keeping a thankful journal has helped me — as it causes me to stop, think, praise and thank God and put my schedule/thoughts/attitudes/all before God. This process helps me to see the good and realize these are blessings/gifts from God. With this, I find my heart softens, my pulse lowers and peace and grace allow me to look at my life/circumstances in a new light.
Great plan, bring request to God, thank God for His purpose and plan
Love this concise and effective reminder! Thanks so much!
Thanks for the great message! Especially love and need to remember to talk to God about EVERYTHING! Being a control freak this is so hard to do. Thanks for the 3 steps! Will try to put those into,practice.
I love your books and messages. They always encourage me. Thank you for you faithfulness to share the love of God with us all.
I loved how you said God is good at being God so often we forget this and let worry consume us. Thank you for you 3-steps.
Woowee this blessed my soul indeed!! You clearly put me back on focus to understand God really does care for us in EVERY WAY, for EVERYTHING. We often pick up way too much we have already put at Jesus’ feet. God is more than able to keep us and to keep us sane and at peace. Thank you for this wonderful post. I am going to keep this in my “Soul Food” arsenal. I need to continue to combat worry and fear with this post. xo
I love these 3 steps! I know I will use them daily and I will share with my ladies at my church on our next get away. With so much going on in our life, we need to know the Peace that God will give us!!
This devotional really helped me to give my worries to the Lord. Instead of focusing on things I had no control over, I focused on praising God for all He has done in my life. And, I felt God peace, especially in a situation that I had worried about for awhile!
Thank you for this. Just did a woman’s group and had them write down things on a piece of paper then we burnt them. Worry causing depression is a constant in my life so I am definitely going to down load the 3 steps, and take pen in hand for a chat worth my Lord.
Thank you or this devotional…it was as If you were speaking directly to me…I have been so worried…I try to hide it pretend that I’ve got this under control all the while doing exactly what you said when God doesn’t answer trying to control it….I’ve been trying to sell my house …since my husband died I’ve been trying to keep it all going but I just can’t afford it anymore ..it’s been on the market almost 4 months and no one has put a bide in….I’m running out of time…and have been trying to wait patiently knowing God will bring the right person along…but in the back of mind doubt sits ….I’ve had to constantly remind myself that God has a plan for me …..and it better then I can imagine….I don’t want to Doubt God’s goodness for me anymore…..Thank you so much…..
Working full time and teaching part-time has become “overwhelming” !!! I have resgned from several committees a few months ago to alleviate my responsibilites. I have realized that I need to balance work with time for prayer, self, and family.
Thank you Lord for ordering my steps and for providing the vessel to bring forth your direction in my life today. I needed that refreshing because I had strayed from the valley of peace and tried to take control, but Lord you are in command and you took command back. I release all to you and humble myself before you. Grace, mercy, prosperity, peace is all mine is all my family IS ALL. Thank you for the covering of the blood. In JESUS NAME. Amen
Thanks so much for the great advice! I’ve never thought of it like that before! I’m excited to try this! 🙂