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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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]