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 am so thankful that God uses this ministry to encourage us & remind us to look at Him and to Him. I am and have been so caught up in my self worry that I needed this reminder, Thank You! I need to seek Him wholeheartedly and also get into a bible study Asap.
So grateful for the encouragements.
I am so thankful God loves me: flaws, failures, cracks, crevices and all! I’d literally be lost without Him and HIs love! I’ve been wondering what God has next and I just wish I knew…until then I’ll keep praying and asking for God’s direction and blessing.
I often worry too much. Thank you for the reminder that He is in control so I have no need to worry.
Thank you for this! It’s so easy to try to take matters into our own hands without praying and handing it over to Him.
Oh how this message applies to my life! Ever since the doctor handed me my first child it was as if this cloud of worry and fear was instilled upon me. I was a new mom- needed to protect and care for this child, sleepless nights, crying….. I would ask myself?! Who says being a mom is fun?! I was consumed with fear. Husband was deploying & now my second child was born. A year apart…..the sleepless nights never got better. I was moving into my parents home into a one bedroom with 2 kids until my husband returned from deployment. The worry, stress, depression & this job of being a mom that seemed like the hardest most challenging thing I ever did!!! I got home and it was chaos. But it was here where I found a church home, support, Gods peace!!! Surrendering my kids, my life, my worries to him hasn’t been easy, I still struggle but it’s been such a blessing and a wonderful experience! God is good! Thankful for everything he has done.
Why do I still worry? Silly me. God has always been there, every circumstance, every time. His faithfulness is new every morning.
Thanks fir this devo! I havent been a worrier in the past but it seems as our family group grows, staying connected to God so that I don’t worry is huge!
worry is like a cold virus that wont go away no matter what you do to get healthy… there was a time would literally worry myself to illness, i worried about food, money, health, my children, work, loved ones.etc… then god spoke to me one day. ” my dear why you worry so much for all these things do not worry for i am in control and will provide you with just what you need and how much and when” i’m proud to say i’m fully recover from the dreaded “worry virus” although i worry a little god’s still and comforting voice remains me that all is well in my life and there is no need to worry!
“do not worry of what you will eat what you will wear for see the birds do not worry what they will eat the flowers do not worry for they will bloom let me worry for you and provide to you all that you need” ( sorry do not remember which book this from) 😉 a nice little gift from bath and body works sounds real nice for this busy mom of two and teacher!! i spend so much time ensuring my children are cared for and my students are cared for i often neglect my self in needs .
Thank you for these clear thoughts. Praying I remember to apply these as I walk through a difficult time with my 21 year old. The “what ifs” in my thoughts need to stop as I take it to God.
I thought I was prepared when I prayed, Lord if it’s your will to heal Jimmy by taking him home with you, Then so be it………But now, 3 weeks after Jimmy went home to be with the Lord, I question my prayer….My selfish heart misses him so badly, It physically hurts….I can’t stop thinking, IF ONLY I HADN’T prayed that…Now, I’m alone to finish raising our last 2 children, yes teens, but still under my roof…No life insurance, Jimmy’s med bills, then nursing home costs depleted our monthly income…I’m hurting so much, misses him so much, I’m so angry at myself for praying…Him for not loving us enough to try harder to get well……the tears just keep coming….My heart & spirit are soooooo broken…….I pray every constantly , Lord, heal my heart, my spirit, strengthen my faith….but all I hear is my broken heart screaming at me, Why did I choose those words?????????????????
Stress and worry…those two words seem to be what my life has been all about lately. Some days don’t even seem real they go by so fast. And in the mix of trying to get everything done so my list is clutter free, I miss valuable prayer time with God. My priorities get lost, and I in turn lose my way. I know God has my back and he always comes through, so why do I fret? Because I get lost in the moment and forget He is greater than I. I am not in control. Lord, please help me to keep calm and seek Your face always. Thank you for loving me even when I am unworthy. Amen
I feel like all I do is worry. I know that the worry comes from Satan. I know that the worry feeds my low self-image. I guess my problem is that I don’t know how to not worry. I guess I probably need your book. lol
This was a greater reminder of how wonderful god is. Thank you!
Thank you for this encouragement! My church just finished your Confided Heart Bible study. It has helped me so much! My mom recently passed after a lengthy battle of cancer at the age of 70 and my daughter is graduating and going off to college in the fall. I worry about loneliness and missing them both so much. They are my best friends.
I think your book would be most helpful to me right now! My family has been going through a lot of changes this last year and it’s not over yet. I have been in a constant state of worry…just when I think I’ve turned it all over to good I seem to take it back. Sigh…I feel as though there will never be light at the end of the tunnel. The last few days of reading your doubt diet via email has been helpful! I need it to continue! Thank you for that!
I am giing to try this when anxiety overcomes me, or when I feel so broken. It is a great reminder to look to God in these times and to man. That God is there and by my side during the stressful, tearful, anxious, and all other moments of my life.
Thank you for the reminder to give all our concerns to God. None are too big or too small.
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I feel like I’m constantly worrying. I need to take a moment and reflect on God. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for the 3 Steps! I continually worry that I somehow do bad things to people in hell. I worry that my boyfriend won’t get saved and is destined for hell. I worry that I will go to hell because I smoke and so can’t be saved.