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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This would be such a blessing! Thank you for the opportunity!
Anna
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.