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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As mom of a 15 1/2 year old daughter who is fighting her way back from depression and anxiety, I worry about this coming summer and all the additional temptations that could be lurking. I worry about my ever-growing work commitments and how I can balance being there for her and her siblings this summer and yet, continue to provide them with food on the table. My husband and I are hoping we have a plan to juggle jobs and parental attention and hoping that we can trust our daughter, but I still worry. I rely on the Lord to help me get through these days and wish my daughter would learn to rely on him more too.
Thank you for sharing this today! I keep thinking I have too much to do, but don’t know what to cut out. Perhaps I’m worrying more than I realize about what I need to do. Will definitely pray about this. I’d love to win the giveaway for myself and also to share with friends. Many blessings to you!
Thank you so much for your encouragement this morning! Definitely a great reminder especially on the hard days when I want to throw everything up in the air and yell FORGET IT! I know that God is always for me and that he is ALWAYS there when I need him no matter what the cause!
Thank you for the timely reminder to take everything to God in prayer! “Cast all your cares upon him” is the best advice for each of us to make our lives less stressful and productive. Thanks for the awesome devotion!
Thanks for the great words today! Just what I needed!
I am dealing with a tumultuous relationship in my marriage and trying to hold myself together to get through work and take are of my boys. Your words of encouragement to trust in God help so much. I want to have time for me to cry, scream and shout, but don’t. Knowing God is there to take these feelings for me helps so much.
Oh Renee your words spoke loud and clear to me. This has been a very stressful season in life with worries about parents health and care, caring for 2 teens/tweens and working full time. I just want to run away somewhere and hide.Thanks for the beautiful words and we just need to run into His arms as He has us covered. Many blessings
Thank you Renee for this post. It is very timely. I have been under stress and anxiety with my health…which I am recognizing has been because of my wrong thinking. Plus not surrendering because I should handle it. Feeling like I’ve made a messvof things and I should fix it. I was…am having major panic attacks. Then I really started to seek the Lord and asking the Holy Spirit for discernment. My answers and guidance have been moment by moment experiences. Just like your post gently exhorting and affirming me. Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me so much.
Thank you for this devotion. When I got to the line, “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.” I really took notice. This is so true for me. The worry is so heavy and such a burden and getting rid of it makes everything else doable and God wants to take that burden from us. I am so thankful to Him for that and to you for reminding me of it.
I can be the queen of worry and control if I don’t spend time with God first thing in the morning. I need the time with Him to go over the day. It never fails, if I don’t do this I’m sure to have an epic melt down. P.s. my favorite verse Jer, 29:12. Thanks Renee, good way to start the day.
Thank you for your words from Our Father’s heart today. This is something I’ve struggled with for a while now, but I believe God would have me cut back my list of commitments (which includes an extra part-time job due to finances). We are expecting a baby and are doing our best to be diligent with all that we have. I’ve been convicted of trusting God to provide for all of our needs – not a job – that HE will make a way and that I don’t need to sacrifice my family time or energy, because my God is more than enough. We’re believing and having confidence for a perfect full-time job and that our Father would open those doors in His timing.
This was such an awesome reminder of how we don’t trust Jesus as our friend. In the hymn What a Friend we have in Jesus, clearly states that we should carry everything to God in prayer! Thank you for allowing God to use you in such a powerful way. Oh how awesome it is rest in the comfort of knowing that when we call him he will bring us back from captivity. Love this message. Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone .
Thank you for these words! Worry often consumes me and God and his word is the answer to all the questions!
Thank you for this very timely meditation. I tend to load up my plate with activities, and although I don’t consider myself a worrier – I do believe it creeps in, just like you said. Praying today, asking God to show me where I don’t trust Him in my life.
Thank you Renée for such a thoughtful and insightful post! In addition to the things you mentioned, I tried to listen to comedy and cultivate a sense of humor – about myself as well as in general. I’d love to receive the giveaway!
Thank you for this post. I have been thru a lot this past year, divorce, sickness, not getting paid while out being sick, having to take care of my 3 beautiful boys alone without the help of their dad. I’ve spend many days worried about the outcome, looking for the light, but I’ve realized I have to cast my burdens on the Lord, and he will provide. Its a very hard thing to do, especially when the trials of life are coming one right after another, but He will never ever leave or forsake us!
Worry does consume my days and the promise that God is there to listen and help that worry is so comforting. I will be printing your printable to place by my bed to remind me to turn to God.
I have been feeling overwhelmed the past several days so I took your husbands advice and I wrote down all my work and outside commitments. I am also considering a job change but am not sure if it is me or God sending me in this direction. I will be praying over all of this and see where God leads me. Please pray for me as well.
Thank you so much for this post today! I have had a crazy busy time at work these last couple of days, and it has been very overwhelming. Your post reminded me I may have been ignoring God’s Word to me, to REST and depend on Him. I have much more peace going into today. Thank you!
Thank you. This has given me new perspective.