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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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.