I have a P31 devotion today and want to say hello and “welcome” if you found your way here through it! I’m so glad you stopped by!
I wish we could sit in a coffee shop and chat today.
I’d love to talk with you about things that are weighing you down or worries that are making you weary. They always seem to lighten when shared with a friend.
I’d tell you about the year I let my problems pile up and how all that pressure almost took me down. It’s all in chapter 9 of my book including the story about how I accidentally took my dogs medicine one morning.
In my devotion, I shared how God has been changing me and rearranging me. I also promised to share three steps to overcome worry and a practical way to physically give God your concerns! Since we can’t chat in a coffee shop today, I decided to share my heart in a short video post.
Message Notes: You can download my “Video Message Notes” in a PDF here or in a Word doc here. They include the points of my message, verses and blanks to fill in. {If you’d like to watch more FREE Confident Heart videos based on my book, click here.}
Let’s Connect & A Giveaway: I’d love to hear your thoughts and one thing you want to apply after reading today’s devotion and hearing the video message. Click “share your thoughts” right below this post and do just that. 🙂
Your comment enters you in today’s “Come to Me” stress-relief gift pack giveaway which ncludes a Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Mint candle, God-iva Dark Chocolate and an Chamomile Lavender scented Anti-Stress Comfort Wrap that can be refrigerated or microwaved depending on your preference – my favorite home spa treatment!!
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Renee,
This is such a blessing. I needed to read this. I have been told i’m a worry wart. After reading this devotion, it just helped me to realized, I tend to worry about things I have no control over. Now what I do is write little release prayers in my journal by my bed. It seems to help me release that burden or those thoughts. This was a confirmation that I am on the right path to be worry free and to be wrap up in God and listen more of Him and not my thoughts.
Thank you for sharing
I am so weary I am in tears most days. I have so much on my plate, mom of 4, foster mom of my niece and nephew, watching 2 other kids to help out people. I lost my job last Sept. and we decided I’d stay home with the kids, but that has me scared as money gets scarce. I have had depression issues all my life and feel like i’m falling deep into it again, i’ve been praying hard but i’m feeling like God doesn’t hear me. I enjoyed your devotional and i’m going to keep praying hoping for some relief from this sinking hole.
Stephanie, i can’t relate yet to the stress of children, but I can relate to worrying about money and also about depression. There were times in my life that I lay on my bed and cried to God for what felt like hours, with no relief to my aching spirit. I would rise to go about my business feeling just as sad and lonely as before. God has since used various things to heal me from that, and so I wanted to encourage you:
He IS listening! Romans 8 says that the Holy Spirit prays for us when we don’t have the words to pray, and that Jesus himself is standing beside the Father interceding for us! That means even when you are or aren’t praying, you are being lifted up to the Father by Christ himself!
I also have clung to the verse in John 16:33, “Inhave told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have OVERCOME the world.”
Finally, I have found refuge in the Psalms. David, the man after God’s own heart, lived a life of many challenges and struggles. In Psalms, He pours his emotions out to God, uncut uncensored! Psalm 42 is a great place to start, because in it David expresses his deep discouragement, and then preaches truth to his spirit- a very neat method for beating depression. Remind your Spirit that you are God’s and He does care for you!! I pray you will find encouragement and peace and freedom in Christ!
oh Kelli…. AMEN!!! to your response! It is so necessary for us all to remember this… having gone for almost 2 days of no sleep due to horrific pain from inoperable tumors, and concern for a daughter who is with a serious case of pneumonia and has no insurance so the hospital wouldn’t keep her & living a few hours away so I cannot be there to help her in some way, and a teen granddaughter who is going through so much also…. I am with my heart and hands lifted to Heaven 24/7…. Stephanie… God is hearing every word you lift to Heaven… and even those you don’t… What amazing Grace the Lord shows us through what Kelli just reminded us… that the Lord Himself is listening!.. AND petitioning the Father on our behalf!!! Praise God!!!
Stephanie, I will pray for the Lord to give you both emotional and spiritual refreshment over the days ahead! May God guide you and give your family the rest it needs and supply you above and beyond what you could ask or think!
Cathy B*****y pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
palmbreezeliving.blogspot.com
Worrying is what I do best! No wonder I am always so tired. I am going to work today as the last day in a place I dearly love and transferring to a more difficult situation. Consequently I am surrounded by worry. I needed to read your thoughts and reminders today. I put today and those to come in God’s hands and know that all will be fine. Now… If I can just remember that! Thank you for the encouragement.
Good morning,
From the time listed on the other posts, I can see I am not the only one who looks to the message given through you ladies at 31 to help me start my day. I am constantly having to look at my list and wonder if they are my line up, Gods, or even set up by inappropriate forces.
Thank you for encouraging me to move forward and teaching me to trust in Gods answers even when my schedule seems a bit too full.
Really liked the devotional! The stress-relief pak sounds wonderful right now too! : )
Thank you, Tamara
God woke me up very early today, and I know it is because He wants me to come to Him! I made myself a chi tea and got the iPad, after I started writing a list on a 3×5 card. As I was writing I thought to myself, I probably already have these things written down on several other lists lying around EVERYWHERE!!! Feeling guilty turning on the computer, I heard God speak to me…go to you’re inbox. Your devotion was first one…thank you! I could go on and on about all that is consuming me, but instead I will do so before Him. I am so in need of his grace and peace! Blessings to all my sisters in Christ everywhere and thank you for this devotion!!!
Hi Renee,
Just wanted to say thank-you for your great post today – I received it via proverbs 31 ministries and it was very timely. As a mum of 2 (ages 3 and 6) who is about to start full time work in 3 weeks time (which we feel is God ordained) – worry was creeping into every crevice of my brain!! I could actually feel the tension start to melt as I read the verses you posted.
So thanks very much… Need to give it to God and stop worrying!!!
K
I was encouraged by your words this morning. Thank you!
I am up way too early on a summer morning because I awoke to worry. The P31 devotional led me here, and I just love the idea of writing my worries on index cards to give back to God.
You are a blessing. I just watched the video and it spoke to my heart as if God planted it just for me. I am sending the link to every woman I love this morning. Thank you.
I love the verse Philippians 4:6, 7. It’s such practical instruction on worry. I needed to read that this morning.
Your blogs are precious. I enjoy hearing them. It’s funny how even though you and I lead such different lives what you say so often can be applied to me.
Good message, beautifully said. Thank you so much for just what I needed and speaking God’s words into my heart this early AM as I am up with a sick pet and still 4 hours until the vet opens. God sees and cares and is with both of us.
I am often weary and doubt my ability to handle all the things in my life so thank you for the reminder that God does not want me to worry. I want to choose what is better and let go of my worries. I want a thankful heart.
I too, find it hard to not worry and to hand things over to God. I have made many changes in my life and I have prayed that where I am is where God wanted me to be ( and I believed this is where he has lead me)…but now I am having doubts because I am still struggling with so many things and I know I need to be patient and everything is in God’s timing not ours. Please pray for me that I can have a confident heart and know that God does have a plan for me. Thank you
I don’t believe in coincidences…I believe in God’s Will and amazing timing! It’s 2:30am and I am wide awake with worry although I absolutely physically exhausted. I grabbed my iPad off my nightstand and “wandered” onto your website…wow! My 3 yr old daughter has an appointment tomorrow with a specialist due to some health issues that are stumping our primary care physician. On top of that, we ended up in the ER tonight her after our family pet randomly decided to bite her on the face while they were playing. Her face is going to heal but there will be a pretty intense scar that the dr said could take-up to 3 yrs to totally heal. So I cried…which then make me feel guilty for being ungrateful. All that said….thank you! I totally needed a life check on all consuming worry and what really matters!
The Lord will take care of you and your family. Praying for a quick healing for your 3 year old. With God all things are possible! Praying for you and your family! God bless you!
I don’t believe in coincidences…I believe in God’s Will and amazing timing! It’s 2:30am and I am wide awake with worry although I absolutely physically exhausted. I grabbed my iPad off my nightstand and “wandered” onto your website…wow! My 3 yr old daughter has an appointment tomorrow with a specialist due to some health issues that are stumping our primary care physician. On top of that, we ended up in the ER tonight her after our family pet randomly decided to bite her on the face while they were playing. Her face is going to heal but there will be a pretty intense scar that the dr said could take-up to 3 yrs to totally heal. So I cried…which then make me feel guilty for being ungrateful. All that said….thank you! I totally needed a life check on all consuming worry.
Casie,
I had this happen years ago with my daughter and yes you can still barely see the scar between her eyes, but by God’s blessing she has both of her eyes. Look for the blessing!
Thanks so much for your wise words today, they are like cool waters on a dry hot day. Humbling, yet they strengthen my soul. May God continue to make your ministry a blessing.
Amen!
Renee, thank you for helping me recognize all of the worry on my plate that I have not handed over to God. I am currently going through a divorce, one of my 5 year old son’s friends from school drowned, my college daughter is moving and I am doing all I can to support all of us emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. I recognize I can’t change what is currently happening, it is what it is, now I am reminded to take it to our Lord. I do not need to do it alone, He will strengthen me. Thank you for your reminder, God Bless!
I am asking God to hold in arms to give you strength. You have a full
Plate. Taking care of yourself first before others. You will not have the
Strength for them till you do. Praying for your friend that list the 5 year
Old also. I am lifting you up to God.
Praying for you right now Sonya. Praying for God to surround you with His angels and with friends to walk you through this – to hold your hand, to hug your kids, to carry your burdens with you. I am so sorry. I agree with Sandy, even though it won’t make sense at times or you won’t feel like you have time, pull away and do little things that refresh your heart – a walk in the evening, a long bath, a nap – otherwise you will become depleted and you won’t have anything to give. Let HIM pour His words of encouragement and love into your heart. If you don’t have my book I would love to send you a copy and another book for weary moms. Please email your address to [email protected]. You are in my heart and prayers today!!
Hi Renee, I just had a day I wish I could do over. Thanks for reminding me to “stop worrying, start praying and keep thanking God for how much he cares and that we can cast our cares upon Him.”
God is in control and cares about every detail of our lives. Even when we make mistakes. He is there. No matter what! Our God is an awesome God!
I had that same kind of day. It was AWFUL, I was awful, I feel awful.
Let’s pray for each other.
Love to all.
Renee,
You are always right on! I have been so down and out lately…so now I am going to sit down and figure out why I am down and out…what I need to change…I printed out the P31 devotional as well as the three ways to overcome worry…
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and insight!
Keep up the great work!
Deborah
When we are down to nothing, God is up to something! Praying for you, that God would continue to strengthen and encourage you in Him. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Bless you!
Just read your P31 devotional and oh, sister, you’re singin’ my song! I can totally relate. Thanks for your wise words. Loved them! PS. We’re using your book for women’s home groups this summer. 🙂
Dear sister for you,
Jesus, Jesus , I am resting in the joy of what Thy art , finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Try this, it works
lp
How refreshed I feel now with God’s word and the steps you provided to remind us to turn to the Lord. I am at the beach and worry started I decided to go online and read my Proverbs 31 devotional. I saw your title about worry and God lead me to it. So refreshed now and full of joy! Thank You
What a needed uplift to be reminded that God can help us with all things, especially the daily deadlines and stresses in our lives.
I really like the cross on your nightstand. What an excellent reminder to cast my worries to Jesus. Thanks!
These are 3 great and easy steps. I too think the nightstand idea is great. During really stressful times when it is really difficult for mind to just relax, I think of the following verse; “Be still and know that I am God.” Even if I have to repeat it over and over again, eventually, I am at peace and I am able to hear God.
Hi Renee,
God has recently pointed out to me that my greatest spiritual struggle comes with spending too much energy rehashing what I’ve done in the past and worrying about the future.
Your devotion really spoke to me.
In the Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis has the main character, one of Satan’s “managers” telling his minnion to keep his victim either rehashing the past or worrying about the future, because GOD IS IN THE PRESENT. I try to remember that but I’m not always successful.
Thanks for reminding me today,
Karen
Oh Karen that was good! Hi Renee! It was a blessing to have found you today through P31. Anxiety and stress is a HUGE issue causing so many problems. I love how your husband told you to make a list, mine says the same. The cross on the nightstand, great idea! Today I am challenging me to “stop talking to myself and start talking to God” Amen sister! I look forward to reading more!
I was looking for a daily devotion and found this site yesterday. Just what I needed with my busy life; 4 kids, husband who works nights, graduate school, etc…sometimes I feel like I am so overwhelmed!
Laura
I woke up this morning tired. The last two days at work have been stressful; I am a church secretary. When I got to work this morning I decided I needed to take just a few minutes to read the Proverbs 31 devotion I subscribe to. What a blessing it was to be reminded to take it all to Jesus! When I get home today, I plan on revisiting your website to look at the online Bible study and your book, “A Confident Heart:. God lift you up today and give you peace as you minister to so many through your website!
Oh, Janet, it made my heart happy to read your sentence, “…work have been stressful; I am a church secretary.” I am, also, and people just have no idea just how stressful that can be. I normally do read my P31 devotional’s first thing but today was so busy, I’m just getting around to it.
It was something I did need today and will try to take the steps with me and use them.
I tell my husband all the time not to worry, everything will work out, but actually I worry as much as he does. I often find myself worrying about decisions I have made or things I have said or done in the past. I think about how I should have said or done something different. Then I remember Philippians 3:13-14 and ask God to help me move forward and not stress about things that I cannot change.
I love the idea of putting worries down on index cards and actually “giving them” to the Lord. I fail so much with this and worry so much. Thanks for your words of wisdom!
thank you for the encouragement, about how and why women worry and grow weary. It really help allot to put things into prospective. May God Bless all the women that read this to take the time to rejoice in the Lord, and pray always. love and prayers Judy
Renee, enjoyed your video. I am just like you with my worry. I can really relate about worry.
Thank you for the reminder of resting in Him. I lost my brother a year and a half ago and my heart has been very heavy and all of life seems to be causing an anxious heart. I needed to hear these words today. I love getting them in my inbox. God always knows when I need to read it.
This devotion & teaching is perfect for where I am at!! I listened to the message twice & will download the document, thank you so very much! I am a homeschool mom of 5 (ages 10 yrs – 10 months) and definitely fall into the category of “serving more than seeking” and I am running out of fuel! I plan to implement your suggestion to write my cares down on cards to physically give them to the Lord. 🙂
Blessings,
Joanne Riddle
Renee
I enjoy reading your posts and videos so much. I’ve been off work d/t an injury and life has so many ups and downs.I try really hard not to worry about bills, my future health,etc.This is trying to take hold of my relationships and every thing. I try to stay up with prayer and good thoughts and words of encouragement from awesome women of God like you.
Jesus thank you for sending P31 to me today, just what I needed. Thank you Renee for listening to the Lord and writing Confidant Heart. I am one of those stress-induced depression women. I will definitely be writing down verses on index cards.
I just read the chapter 2 of “A Confident Heart.” That helped me so much with what is going on me. I am in the middle of a big move, two boys that are 10 months apart and a husband. No time at all for myself lately. I definately will start though. I releated to a lot of your life stories as well. Thank you so much.. It calmed a lot of my anxiety down.
Take care and BE BLESSED !! 🙂
Thank you for reminding me of my favorite bible verse and to lift all my worries up to god. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I am going to try the note card remedy starting today. Thank you Renee for your wisdom filled words,
Thanks for reminding me not to worry. I have a huge tendency to do so and recently heard a great thought in a Christian podcast – that nothing happens to you by mere association. IE: just because we hear of a tragic car accident, loss of a job, divorce of a close friend or family member, etc. it does not mean that something similar will happen to us or our family because we were close to such a situation. I’m going to try to remember this and be more thankful for the blessings the Lord has provided in my life for myself & my loved ones.
Hi! Who among us haven’t felt over burdened at points? Last night I had a good cry before going to sleep but I also had a good prayer session with God and turned my worries over to Him.
I would like to share this with you all. It is called ” Cleansing Prayer ” . This is if you feel you are worried about a person and it is weighing you down…..
” Dear Lord ,
I thank you for granting me the privilege of ministering into ———————–‘s life today. I now want to release both ————————- and the responsibility for his/her healing to you. Thank you , Lord, for your love for ——————-, which is for greater than mine could ever be.
Where I have become connected to ————-in any way that is outside of your will, I ask you to forgive me and to now unbind the cords drawn between us and cause us to be connected to you in those areas instead.
Father, please cut me free, by the sword of your Spirit, from any transference, spiritual or emotional, that took place during this session, and nail it to the Cross of Christ.
Wash me, Lord, and restore me to your original design, and renew me where my energies have been depleted through ministry.
Seal that which has been accomplished in ___________________’s life today, and protect if from enemy forces. I give all of the honour, the glory and the praise to you.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
I just thought this prayer might help some of you who are burdened in this way.
Cheers!
awesome; thank you for sharing this
Renee,
What a blessing your book and your devotions are. I thank God for the the gift He has given you to share Christ and help so many women. I have been going through health issues that have been very diffcult. It is easy to get wrapped up in the “worry” verses the “Faith ” in God that ALL things are possible for those who believe. Thank you for being a blessing to so many women. Your wisdom helps me to be reminded in Christ Jesus the victory has already been won, all I have to do is believe!
May God use you to the fullest for HIS glory,
charlotte