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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Thanks for the reminder. I’ve really been struggling with work & home life & I need to remember to give it ALL to Him, not just the things I think He wants to hear. I like the idea of writing out what we are struggling with. I know I have thoughts in my head but to see them written out sometimes puts things in perspective, then I need to remember to give them over to Him, because I know He loves me! What a comforting thought.
Hi Renee. Boy, this is just the reminder I needed this morning. I am currently studying for a big exam and have worked myself up into such a worried mess about it that I can’t even concentrate on studying for it. I bet I have spent more time over the past few months worrying about learning what I need to know than I have actually studying for the exam. I have turned it over to God several times, but keep picking it back up.
I love the idea of writing it down on index cards and physically placing it at the foot of the cross as a symbol of turning it over to God. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas, struggles, and life lessons with us here.
God bless you!
Connie
great message i really needed to see this clip thank you so much the putting them on the index cards at the end of the day really a great idea for me
I have worried about things all my life. I am finding out that all I have to do is cast my cares and worries on Him. I also deal with anxiety that seems to live it my chest. I know it does not happen overnight. I have faith that God will make a way in my life because He already has. I pray and tell God that I believe.I need help with my unbelief. Thank you so much for your words and encouragement. It helps me in my time of struggles right now. God Bless you.
Renee ~ Thank you so much for the encouragement! I have been receiving them for over a year now. I started sharing them with a few friends, then a few more…now I have a “Daily Devotions” distribution list of 50 ppl (family, friends, and coworkers). The devotions are always something that I need to hear and a reminder of how perfect God’s timing is! I just love your idea of writting our worries down on index cards and giving them to God (I also love the beautiful cross you have on your nightstand)! I’m going to put your idea into action immediately! I can totally relate to today’s message…I have been married for almost 25 years (together almost 29). We have 3 children, and just had our 5th grandchild on 6/10/12. My 71 year old father lives with us, as well as our soon-to-be 24 year old son. My husband has been a truck driver (OTR) for many years and he isn’t home much. When he is home, it’s like I am constantly catering to him and it is exhausting. I am also active in my church (Kitchen Ministry) and have not been able to help out too much because of my family responsibilities. I know I should be seeking God more and asking Him for the strength and encouragment to carry on. Thank you so much for putting things into perspective. May God richly bless your Ministry! 0;o)
I so thank you for this..I recently lost my mom and i thought all was okay, but lately i am not sleeping, tired all the time, my body hurts and just really realized I am stressed out. Not focusing on the one that can help me which is God, not realizing that he is where my comfort and joy comes from when I get in his Word. Today I am going to give it all to him.
Thank you and be blessed,
Tiffanney
Wow! Thank you so much! As a mom of four (almost grown) children, (youngest will be 18 in two months,) the saying, “Let Go, Let God,” has come to mind more times than I really want to share. It has, however, become easier as each child gets a little older…I don’t know if it’s because I actually DO let God take control or if they are doing pretty well on their own. I know letting go and letting God have control used to be so much more difficult but as I have learned to trust him more and he continues to be faithful, even when I am not, it becomes easier because I see his grace and goodness in all things. Thanks again for your message; always uplifting to hear how others weather the storms of this life.
I can so relate to worry and an anxious spirit. I woke up with on my mind today. I am seeking God to show me where this is coming from and seeking his voice and will today. Then I look and see your devotion. It is another way for God to speak to me today. Thanks! I needed this wisdom today. My last 15 years of stress with my youngest son and my last 2 years with my family has been more than one should have to deal with. But these last 2 years and most recently I feel like I am truly walking through the desert of fire!. Please pray for my family
What a perfect message for me today! I found myself in the worrying mode this morning about a recent situation that happened. I dove into God’s Word trying to find something to help; some guidance. Your video message was exactly what I needed. Thank you! It was a reminder to not worry, pray about it and that God has it totally under His control! Thank you. I pray that God continues to bless you and watch over you in your ministry!
Thanks so much for the encouragement to trust God more…I especially like the challenge to “seek” God more and not to be overly consumed with “serving” Him. Balance is important! I’m like many of the others…the idea of leaving my worries at the foot of the cross at my bedside, is an excellent way to practice Phil 4:6,7
Thanks for the encouragement! I am dealing with anxiety and your reminder of the practical ways we can cast our worries to God because He cares made me push the pause bottom. As you say about Philippians 4, it sounds easy, then why do I struggle to let go of my worries? I am printing an index card with that verse to keep with me at all times…May the Lord bless you richly for all you do to serve Him…
Renee,
Thank you so much for your Godly advice on things that keep us from our focus on the Lord. The Holy Spirit showed me the same thing about myself, and put the same message on my heart just days ago. Your devotion was simply a gentle reminder for me. He is ever-faithful!
May He continue to bless you, your family and your ministry.
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for sharing Renee.
Whenever I hear (or read) the verse from Matthew 11:28 the next verses (29 and 30) ” Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” follow in my mind.
I remember reading somewhere how an oxen or horse would find it far harder to pull the weight if not for the yoke upon its shoulders. The yoke actually places the weight where it can most easily managed. How fitting that taking the yoke of Jesus upon us makes our burdens lighter and makes them easier to bear.
Hi! This devotion is SO timely. Amazing how God does that! We just miscarried our 4th child. I was like a little over 6 weeks, when I started bleeding. They have done 2 rounds of blood work, and the numbers went way down. Sometimes I feel like my faith is SO small, because I question God on why this happens to families? I know we live in a sin cursed earth and bad things will ALWAYS happen. I have to keep my eyes on Jesus and know that He has a plan in all this and I must trust Him. His Ways are SO much higher than ours. We may never know or understand, this side of Heaven. He is STILL God and STILL on His throne! My sweet Mom died in 2005 at the young age of 55. I can’t help but to think that she is in Heaven holding our little angel. My brother and sister in law lost one a few years back, and maybe my Mom is holding their little one too. Thank you for this devo and for praying for our family in this most difficult time. I praise God for you and your ministry! God Bless! Julie
Proverbs 3:5-6
Sweet Renee,
You have no idea how much I need this today. Facing a stressful next two weeks at our church with the change in ministers and all my Hospitality Team partner and I have to do for the transitions, plus hosting Bycicle Riders who stay over in our church during all this, has overwhelmed me. I admit, though I know how out of hand my worrying is and how it shows my lack of trust in our Lord, I forget to stop and rest in Him. I thank you for today’s devotion and your video to remind me to “Stop worrying, Start praying, and most of all to Keep thanking” Our Lord. He has truly blessed me all my life, and your reminder came at just the right time. God Bless you…
What a wonderful message today – I’m sure it wasn’t just for me, but it couldn’t have applied more. I have been very weighed down the last few weeks & I believe you just shared the perfect prescription. Thank you so much!
really enjoyed your book!
Thank you for reminding me today that my worry makes me weary not the workload. In all I do I do for Christ. From working with my students at home and at work, and for serving in the student ministry at church and adding a week of Children’s ministry to my plate. My priorities are worked out and just enough energy is left to perform without falling over. I needed this today. Thank you!
Thank you for those words. I am going through a tough time in my life and that was exactly what I needed to hear. God bless you!