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 this great reminder….it was just what I needed for today. I love how God provides and speaks to me through the Proverbs 31 devotionals!
The past year has been overflowing with too much stress, too many responsibilities, not enough sleep or “me and God” time. This devotion spoke directly to me. Thank you!
Thank you Renee for reminding me that thoughts are just as much of a concern as my time. I trust God but immediately follow my timeline and jump ahead of Him therefore creating stress! I have a hard time trying NOT taking control, wanting to check it off my list without missing a beat! Praying for today that I follow Him and not an agenda.
Thank you so much for this reminder! This devotion is just what I needed in my in box this morning! Thank you for reminding me to give it ALL to God.
Thank you for reminding me to trust God and stop worrying. God is so good and He knows what we need even before we do.
This is so pertinent to me today. For the last week or so I have been trying to give my worry load to Jesus. Some days I am successful, some not so much. I am so thankful for the blessing of my life. God has been so good to me. I am wonderfully blessed! Thank you for your ministry, I need encouragement of Godly women who He has inspired to share what He gives them.
Thank you, I needed this today!!!!
Life has been so overwhelming for me for several months now. Your devotional couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Thank you!
I just found this blog today and this post is very much needed. I can really identify. I stress entirely too much to the point where I “sleep” between 2-4 hours a night. I stress about pretty much everything ranging from : my college courses to my 2 school aged kids and their school problems, to being a stay at home Mom with my 2 toddlers practically alone 24/7 to just every single thing that I do not coming out right. (not sure this is even intelligible between my tears and lack of sleep). I know that I should let God have it all and I try to give it to Him. But, then I hold onto a little corner of every thing in my life “just in case.” Because : “What if God’s too busy?” “What if He’s mad/sad/angry/upset with me?” “What information I deserve all this stress and worry and no sleep? ” “What info this is all part of God’s plan for my life? ”
I just don’t know anymore. . Thank you to all who may read this and pray for me.
Jennifer, I can relate to your post, but I am much further along in chronological years than you are, having completed the college, raised the children and am now retired as a widow. However, I’m still in the same place as you with the physical and personal struggles. Let’s pray for each other to find our relief where it is promised- in Him, not in our own efforts.
Your book sounds like just what I need right now .soooo tired. Just want to hide away and sleep until things change,but that’s not possible. When I could sleep I toss and turn all night and when I want to sleep I have so many other things I have to do. Probably not making any sense to you .
Anyway I would sure like to read your book.
Thank you for the encouragement! It’s just what I needed at just the right time. God Bless You!
This spoke volumes to me this morning. Too many times I allow the distraction of my worries to take over & consume my thoughts & steal my joy. Today I will be intentional about stopping the worry, praying to God & thanking Him for everything!
Thank you for the reminder to give our worries over to God! I am out of a job currently and have been worrying about that a lot lately.
Thank you I needed that today. I have 5.5 weeks left in school and it is very stressful. I know that my God is in control.
I’m there, Renee. Too much. My boys are telling me we rush everywhere. I don’t want that to be their childhood. Praying Gods got this and for him to guide me in priorities today. Thank you for sharing!
I am a worrier at heart. I watched my mom worry my whole life and now I too have become that person. I know I take on too much and never leave enough time for me (or my husband). I want to be that person who lets go and lets G-d but I resort back to MY ways. I’m tired and feel so broken.
Thank you – this was just what I needed today!
I’ve been so consumed and so stressed as of lately, I am getting physically ill. I’m trying to turn to God, It’s so tough with 2 little children and oh so much to do! This devotion was timely and I feel as I allow worry to consume me too often. Thank you for your transparency! Good to know I’m not alone.
Thank you for helping me remember this morning that even what I think is too small to take to God (losing weight) is something that I need to give completely to Him, and trust. I’m going to stop stressing about it, and start trusting about it.
Thank you so much for this article. I was in the midst of listening to the devil when I clicked on here. So helpful. Bless you.
Thanks for the encouragement!
After having a little one wake me up at 3:30 this morning and not being able to get back to sleep because of worrying over a specific situation , I thought this was so appropriate for how I am feeling right now. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks
Perfect timing….this has helped me today. Things have felt so overwhelming lately.
Good thoughts, excellent suggestions I will be trying them during my praye time.
Wow this message from P31 in my inbox this morning tells me God knows what I need when I need it. Worry & stress are taking over my life & I don’t like it. This message offers a simple way to hand it over to God. Thanks!
Two years ago I sent my second (and youngest) son to college. I always thought that once I
got them both graduated from high school I could relax some. They were adults now, right?
I now find myself ALWAYS concerned about them and the college life. Thank you for reminding
me to take it all the The Lord. !!!
Thank you so much for this reminder!! I tend to get stressed and worried about things as a young mom and wife, and so many times the things I get worried about are never as bad as I imagine them to be. I daily need God’s help to have a joyful spirit and take one thing at a time! I was blessed by your devotional!! God Bless You!!
I don’t know why it is so hard to remember these promises from our heavenly Father. My heart always feels calmer after reading these scriptures. Thank you so much for sharing your heart as God leads. May you be abundantly blessed for your faithfulness to Him.
Isaiah 41:10 is my go to verse when things get tilted as my son has schizophrenia this can happen at any time and so being alert is a necessity – I am thankful for the doctors and that his psychosis is In Remission but the day to day challenges abound and can overwhelm, but whenI feel this I just start praising and reciting this verse u til the Lord has my sight again and I am not looking at the problems thanks for the encouraging words
This was a perfect and much needed devotional. I help a diabetic, very loved aunt and uncle. My mother just had melanoma surgery on her face, and I applied for my first teaching job. Thank you God for carrying my worries.
Thank you! This is exactly what I have been going through which have led to anxiety attacks. I need help, support, and someone to talk to..
Thank you for this devotional! God knew I needed this today! He is truly concerned about me and everything that is burdening my heart and mind! I am praising God for your words that spoke so deeply to my heart – my struggles are so hard but He knew I needed this today of all days!
God was speaking and answering my prayer through your devotional.Thank you
Thank you for the encouragement and reminder.
In the past I have had many worries and concerns. However I have learned to give it to God.
This was awesome and what I needed to read.
thank you so much for this.. life.. has been hard and overwhelming.. I don’t feel I worry but my mind races so much in so many different directions. Thank you for reminding me to calm my mind and talk to the Lord. Allowing Him to give me the peace I need trusting in His love and will in my life. God bless you ~
What an ahaaaa moment. I get so bent about why my schedule overwhelms me when it really isnt a big one. The snowball rolls and gets bigger and bigger…i just get more worried, more frustrated, more exhausted and less done. Its totally not my schedule…it’s my worry. Thank you for this eye opener. I NEEDED it.
This is just what I needed to hear. We so often forget whos in control when life gets busy. Love the three steps to get God’s peace, Thank you.
As a “former” chronic worrier, I know all too well what you have described today. Although I still have rough days and a tendency to backslide to my old worrywart self, I remember that God desires for us to bring ALL of our worries to Him. So when I start to falter I PAUSE, PONDER, and PRAY through it. As Renee stated, God does not always give us the blatant answer we think we need at the time, but He ALWAYS reveals what HE knows is the best outcome for us. During all of our trials and tribulations, God is actually calling us to draw closer to Him through prayer, service and devotion. Don’t worry about “how” to pray to Him. Just talk to him as you would a good friend, a BEST friend, then listen closely for His guidance. Many of us are looking for a God who shouts instead of one that whispers. Your answer may come through a church sermon’s message, a friend’s timely phone call, a blog for that day, a dream, a television program, a song that you tuned into on the radio. I have experienced God’s messages though most of these venues- “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He care for you”[1 Peter 5:7]
I so needed to read this today. I have been feeling overwhelmed with many things including how to be a good mother to my 3 kids, with our work/ministry, keeping up with our home, and church obligations, as well as some upcoming classes that I’m taking. Thank you for sharing ways to let go of our concerns to God.
Thank you for these words of wisdom and pointing us back to the truth when we are wrapped up in worry. I need constant reminders to focus my eyes on our wonderful Father rather than what I feel is going on around me. Nothing surprises Him!
Thank you for sharing this encouragement at just the right moment. I too have experienced the same type of melt down. I only wish I have known of the advice you shared in today’s message and had given all my worries to God. God is the ultimate provider of peace!
I needed this reminder to “Let it go” Thank you!
Wow! How timely this message was. It goes hand in hand, in my opinion with the Walk in Faith OBS. I needed this for today and everyday!
Like many of the other folk whovhavecleft comments, I felt you were writing this just for me. I need constant reminders to worry less and pray more!! Let go and let God!!
I did not realize how much I worry…about what to cook..what to wear…I know to give God larger worries but the small ones take their toll. Thank you for your love of our Lord,
Thanks! I needed this today! Blessings…
My mother was a constant worrier. I read this verse to her many times. Even though I vowed never to let worry affect me like it did her I find myself worrying about things too. Thanks for giving me this verse today.
I have learned that, when something keeps coming up in my life, God is trying to help me “get it.” My worry has been brought to my attention in multiple ways over the last several weeks, just as these verses in Phillippians have. I love these steps- God’s timing is perfect!