Day 4: Sometimes Worry Makes Me Wonder
Taken in part from Chapter 9
© 2011 by Renee Swope with Revell Publishing. All rights reserved.
Food for Thought: She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV)
When life gets overwhelming, do you ever start to wonder if God notices and cares about everything you have going on—like how hard you’re trying to take care of your family, pay the bills, find time for Bible study, your marriage and the ministry He’s called you to while working two jobs, caring for your aging parents, commuting to work, and carpooling your kids?
Several years ago, I was having a hard time balancing my life, and there were days when I wondered if God noticed and cared about all I was doing. I didn’t understand why He wasn’t taking better care of the details in my days so things would run more smoothly. Sometimes I felt like He might be expecting too much of me.
Looking back now, I can see that I was expecting too much of myself. The truth is, I was doing a lot of good things, but not all of them were God’s things for me during that season of my life. I had ended up in a place where I was serving God more than I was seeking God. Finally, I came to a point where I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything.
Eventually I ran out of fuel. I didn’t have enough energy to handle all of my roles, relationships, and responsibilities. I also ran out of faith, which made me start doubting my ability to manage my life, to hear God clearly, and to do all I assumed He wanted me to do.
My life was out of balance and so was my heart. I had taken on too many commitments, and I worried about all of them all of the time. I knew I should trust God more, but I was secretly afraid that if I stopped worrying about everything and everybody He would too. And all that worry started making me weary.
One day, while reading my Bible, I noticed how Martha’s worries were making her weary, and making her wonder if Jesus cared that her sister left her in the kitchen all by herself to do all that work. Listen to how Jesus responded: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42 NIV)
How do we choose what is better? How do we find confident peace and assurance that God notices and cares? First Peter 5:7 tells us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (NLT).
The apostle Paul tells us how: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank 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. (Phil. 4:6–7 NLT)
It sounds so doable, but why is it so hard? I think it’s because Satan whispers the opposite. He says, “Don’t be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn’t listen.”
The enemy wants our concerns to consume us like acid in our hearts, eroding our confidence with worry and doubt! I say it’s time for us to stop listening to him and start listening to and living in God’s promises instead. When our concerns become consuming, let’s commit to:
Stop worrying—Press the pause button on our consuming concerns.
Start praying—Talk to God about all we’re doing and ask Him if there’s anything we need to cut back so we have time to seek Him as much as we serve Him and others.
Keep thanking God—Thank God for what He’s done in the past and will do in the future. This helps us remember how good He is at being God.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts. When concerns consume me, remind me that You are with me, holding me by my right hand and guiding me with Your counsel. I want to seek You as much as I serve You and others. Help me balance my life and give my burdens to You, knowing with confidence that You care about me and are good at taking care of me! In Jesus’ name, Amen. (See Psalm 139:23; 73:23–26)
Doubt Diet Tip: Lose the weight of worry by “giving all your worries and cares to the Lord because He cares for you!” Write your concerns on an index card and give them to Jesus. I have a tabletop cross by my bedside where I lay my “concerns card.” Maybe you could get one too. Then, when you start worrying, go back and write your worries on your card, and commit once again to cast your cares upon the Lord. Also, write a promise on a card and carry it with you today. Here’s a link to More Peace-Giving Promises
Let’s Talk: What is one concern you want to lay down at the foot of the Cross today? I’d love for us to pray for each other and bear one another’s burdens.
Please return to my website (if you’re reading this via email), then scroll to the bottom of today’s post and click on “Share Your Thoughts” so you can let us know how to pray for you. If you’re not comfortable sharing details, just say “Pray for me please.”
Laying it down: My biggest concern is my mom. While I was flying home from speaking all weekend in IL, my husband was rushing mom to the hospital. She’s in ICU with large blood clots in both lungs. One is very close to the main artery that leads to her heart. We’re praying and trusting God is not surprised by any of this – although we were. Today’s devotion had already been written – just for me (wink!). And my closing message on Saturday was about Jesus calling us to come to Him – when we’re weary and burdened with worry – so that we can find rest for our souls (Matt 11:38-39), rest in His presence, rest in His plans and rest in His promises. He’s gone ahead of me and left gifts of peace and reminders of His promises along my path. I pray you see His hand in the timing of today’s devotion and His heart for you, too.
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I have been in this place, laying my burden down but it is difficult because problems in the situation rise up and force my eyes to go on the situation, at least for a while. It’s complicated- but for 23 years I have had a commercial property left when my first husband died. Due to legalities the losses do not carry over but I have had to put life insurance and other money in because the loan was against our personal assets. I could not sell because of environmental issues not disclosed by the seller.
If I do not sell it before Sept I will lose the property and about $300,000 of my share of the worth of it. I have never made a cent but have had to deal with it for 23 years. Praying for God to do a miracle, releasing me in victory, setting a table before me in front of those who have deceived, lied, cheated etc. Hoping that the enemy who has tried to destroy me and bring discouragement and despair does not win. My God is greater !!
This devotion was truly meant for me. I really failed as a wife last night and this morning I read my RESPECT devotion and it truly convicted me. And then reading this made me feel like it’s going to be ok and sometimes when I make a mistake as long as I remember the lesson then I am ok. Thank so much for you inspiration on this morning. It was a Godsent! Be blessed!
Today’s message resonates with me very deeply. I’m currently separated because I asked for it because I felt my husband wasn’t giving me the things I needed. I love my husband very much, and miss him with all my heart. I have talked to him and admitted that I was wrong on my things and I want out marriage to survive. It’s true I still want certain things, but I’m willing to work together. My husband has depression and I’ve tried so hard to help in any I can, and I also begged for us to reconcile. With a friend’s help I am reading daily devotions and trying to connect with God every day. It hurt so bad to keep calling my husband asking for time with him because I feel he really didn’t want to be with me. The wall was always there. I must trust that God that this wall is meant to be and as of yesterday I needed to start helping myself. I was being needy and I felt my husband no longer wanted the connect with me so I am not honoring his request and not contacting him. I pray this is the message I’m suppose to honor and let go and let God take the wheel. My heart is broken and I’m alone. God please give me the strength to push on and trust in you. This was my 4th marriage and I was all about commitment and honoring our marriage and working through it together. Now that things in are out of control all I can do is believe in God. Any and all prayers to heal our relationship would be appreciated. Thank you!!
I received the devotional today and i know that I have problems with self doubt. I have been divorced for 12 years. I did not realize until I recently met a man that is interested in me that i doubt why tath anyone could be. My marriage ended because he left me for another woman. I had thought I had gone beyond this.
I needed to hear what you are saying , I need your prayers please. Thank you.
I just realized why i have been anxious all day today is because I have not laid david down at the foot of the cross. I have been very merciful to a homeless man named david who suffers from schiznoprehenia. i am confused by some things how people tell me to not go looking for him and to stay away from him. He can be very aggressive and cusses at people. He has not been that way towards me yet. I am just scared, and confused. I know being merciful to others is the right thing to do. I am really in need of peace and I would love for y’all to lift david up in prayer. He is a very unique and wonderful man who can not help that his mind is different than ours. He talked to me about the bible last night. I do know that God is working in the situation.
I also had tears in my eyes when readying today’s message. Thank you Renee for these uplifting words because I for one really do not know where my life is going. After 2 failed marriages & trying to learn to be on my own has not been easy & I feel like a total failure & that nobody will ever want me. I have put my trust in Jesus to show me the way & open up my eyes.
God Bless you & your Family.
Thank you Renee, as I sat here reading today’s message through a cloud of tears it made me feel like God was looking into my heart and speaking directly to me through you. I don’t know who I am and what makes me happy, I have always tried to do what others want and make them happy. Thank you for opening my eyes and making me look at myself in the mirror and ask God to show me who he made me to be.
Thank you and I’m glad to hear the your mother is doing better. God Bless!
I am so despondant i read all the blessed woman who are struggling so much I have some of the same comcerns no job no money no husband no friends no talents no skills I failed at raising my children and cannot go back and fix anything I cant seem to grab hold of any promises from god Why do all these bad things happen to women who love him and trust him why doesn’t he answer their prayers. are we not righteous enough are we not seeking him When will he start to answer prayer. Im 55 years old. im running out of time to start to have a life or a purpose.
Please pray for me to cast all my worries on the Lord and
trust him with my family and friends.
Also pray for comfort and healing for Renee and her family in
this challenging time,
I have gained great comfort and understanding to ask God to
overcome my doubt with Renee’s book.
Thanks be to God for gifting her with this blessing.
I also praise Goo for all his blessings each day
Amen
He does not spend a lot of time at home and when he is here, he’s in his room. I get afraid to speak to him and then he says I don’t care. I try to reassure him – he says “don’t put me on a guilt trip”. On Sunday I spent the day with my husband at the hospital – he had a tight chest and an irregular heart beat
I am so thankful for the online bible study and 7 day doubt diet. I have been divorced for 2 years and I have been struggling financially, working 2 jobs sometimes. So I ask for prayer for my finances. I also need prayer for my 24 year old daughter. Our relationship hasn’t been the best since the divorce. She was raised in church but after leaving home she hasn’t been going to church or living for God. I have been praying for her and tried to encourage her the last 2 years. Well, a month ago her boyfriend moved to Arizona to go to college for a few months and she still lives in Illinois, they had talked about marriage but nothing serious, the distance has took a toll and some things have happened that could destroy their relationship but through this my daughter has been praying and crying out to God for help. I heard about Renee being at the Refresher conference in my area so I asked my daughter if she would go, it took her 3 weeks to commit….and wow…we attended last Saturday and my daughter cried almost through the whole event, God was moving on her and I was crying, we were both taking in everything Renee spoke about and taking notes. An amazing thing happened when we broke off in our different groups, my daughter and I were in the same one, the group was good and after it was over there was a woman kneeling by my daughter and she was saying she didn’t know why but felt that it was meant that she and my daughter were to be there together that day and that my daughters first name was her maiden name and she felt so strongly to talk to her, so my daughter shared her boyfriend situation and the woman started crying and told her that she shouldn’t settle for any guy, that she should make sure the man she marries loves God more than he loves her and she shared some more things and that was just such a God moment…I had been telling my daughter some of the same things this woman told her but sometimes children don’t want to listen to their parents. But my daughter took to heart what this woman shared and knew it was God speaking right to her through this woman. But since this past weekend my daughter is still struggling with her faith since she has been away from God so long and she is struggling with something she has to tell her boyfriend and it may mean losing him. She is so stressed out and I talk to her over and over and sometimes & I feel I am not getting anywhere. So I ask prayer for her and for wisdom for me to know how to help her to stay living for God. But I am praising God because through this she and I have been able to grow closer and have a better relationship. If anyone has advice I would appreciate all. I am praying for all of you as well!!!
Renee
I was saddend to hear of your Mom’s condition, praying for you and your family. This is a stormy sea that we will need to have a strong rudder for, the Captain knows where He going though. We are going to be studying with your book in January, that will be a year since we’ve seen you last at our conference.
Luv ya lots!
I’m praying that God will touch your mom in a very special way! Thank God for U. I pray that he will strengthen you and continue to encourage & motivate you to share your self with others.
Thank you for this devotion. It is perfectly timed for me. I need to lay down the worries about my son. I pray that he would surrender his life to the Lord and follow him. There always seems to be a crisis in his life that he calls and asks me and his dad to help him fix. We are growing weary and pray that he would take on these concerns and trust in God to lead him to do the right thing in his own circumstances. Thank you for letting me share this heavy burden.
pray for me
Thank you so much for your invitation – that you will pray for me. I need to lay my concerns about parenting at the foot of the cross. We have 2 sons, but especially are concerned about our youngest who will turn 19 next month. He does attend a church (different from ours, but a Christian church) and participates in Bible studies. Tomorrow he will volunteer at a Food Bank. However, Jeremy is very disrespectful and rebellious at home. I try not to sweat the “small stuff”, but the little that we ask of him is met with angry looks and nasty comments. One comment so reveals his thoughts: “If you only followed my rules, things would go much smoother at home.” He does not spend a lot of time at home and when he is here, he’s in his room. I get afraid to speak to him and then he says I don’t care. I try to reassure him – he says “don’t put me on a guilt trip”. On Sunday I spent the day with my husband at the hospital – he had a tight chest and an irregular heart beat. He had a heart attack 5 years ago, and since then has radically changed his diet (he lost 60 pounds) and has taken up exercise. The attending doctor at emergency said that yes, the problems could be caused by stress. I wrote Jeremy a letter on Monday, trying to reassure him of my love and how I so desire to have a relationship with him. He appreciated the letter but again this morning, it was my fault that he had no socks and that he was late. His room was a disaster as I looked in drawers for clean socks. I did not mention the dirty ones strewn about on the carpet. Needless to say our home which should be a “haven” from the outside world, is a place of tension and sadness.
Please help pray for my daughter, Angela. She has been seeking employment in the Asheville/ Hendersonville, NC area since June. She has finished her master’s degree and is looking for a counseling postion. She is now living on savings and it is low. She has had two interviews for two different positions and is waiting to hear. She has done well waiting on the Lord’s timing but there are days that she is depressed and doubtful. I pray for her trust in the Lord to remain strong and she waits on Him she draws closer to the Lord. She has no health insurance at this time and yesterday, she was running a fever. I lift her to the Father daily and ask for his care for her. The Lord has always taking care of her in all aspects of her life. I know he is taking care of her now. I pray for peace and joy in her life and the Lord will provide her with the position he desires for her to have; where she can bring His light into the sight of others. I pray that the Father, if it is time, to let this happen soon. It is a comfort to me that others will be praying for her, too.
I also have a good friend whose husband is dying. His heart is failing bit by bit ; as she put it. She is right by his side and both know the Lord. He is ready for his journey home to the Lord and she is confident that she will join him there. I pray for their time together that is left and that the Father will carry them through the days ahead with his loving arms.
He, the Father, will be with us all through whatever is in our lives. Help us, Father, to help one another. Thank You, Father, for Your provision and Your loving care of each of us
Renee, I am praying for your mom, but more than anything I am praying God’s strength for you. Isaiah 40:29 echo this. It says, He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. You might feel weak like the grasshopper, but if you trust the power of God, you will be like an eagle. In the emergencies of life,God help you soar; in the daily routine of life, He helps you patiently walk (Warren Wiersbe). My one prayer concern: clarity for my life. I think I want to pursue graduate school -professional counseling. I have been accepted. .But I don’t have the funds. My husband and I are both unemployed. I have a son in college, my husband and I are on a fixed income, living off of 40% of our gross income. I am seeking God for scholarships/grants. Trusting His will for my life.
Thanks for post today. Between you & Tracie Miles Proverbs 31 devo, I feel that God is really speaking to me today. The main that I worry the most about is financial issues. Right now, I am close to $2500 in debt due to overdue medical bills & other unpaid bills. I’m really struggling living paycheck to paycheck & the more that I try to save & get ahead, it seems the more I get behind. I know that God doesn’t want me in debt & I don’t want to have to borrow from family because I already owe them money as well. I’ve been praying about this for sometime now & the Lord keeps giving me Phillipians 4:19, so I’m hanging on to that promise, because I know God keeps his promises. So, I’m really glad I got o read your post today. I love your idea of a “concerns card”. I think I will start one for myself as well. I already have the verse posted near my computer at work & on my bulletin board at home where I can see it. Thanks so much for letting us share our concerns for prayer & I will be praying for your mom as well.