Wednesday, September 14, 2016

When Life is Overwhelming

Overwhelmed and Inadequate



I'm sitting here trying to gather my thoughts, but my head is spinning. It's ironic that I wrote a post last week about God's unspeakable peace yet I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and scattered right now. I have a very long to do list, and I actually have time to get something accomplished. Instead, my mind is all over the place.

I'm struggling right now.  I'm feeling inadequate.  I'm not managing to check off some items on my to do list, because I feel like I can't do them.  I'm afraid to do them.  I fear I won't do them good enough.  I'm afraid I will be compared to others.  

Quite frankly, even just writing this right now scares me.

When life is overwhelming

That was me earlier tonight.  I couldn't sit still.  I couldn't relax.  I couldn't think clearly enough to get anything done.  I couldn't get past myself.

As I was trying to calm down and gather my thoughts I realized I was doing it all wrong.  I was trying to do it alone.  I started my day right this morning.  I woke up before the boys.  I spent time in prayer and God's Word.  I gave my day to Him, but at some point I took it back.  I made it about me.  I made my tasks insurmountable in my own eyes, because I was trying to do them in my own strengths.  Isn't it amazing how we can learn the same lessons again and again, and we still need to learn them again?

Once I realized I've been holding onto everything myself, I prayed.  My prayer wasn't filled with eloquent words.  My prayer overflowed with emotions and pleas and all my concerns.  And then my prayer was filled with praise.  Within moments the knot that had been in my chest started untwisting, and God flooded my mind with His promises.

Psalm 29:11 - The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 26:3 - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

Keeping My Eyes on Him


In that last verse, notice the words, "whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You."  When I take my eyes off of Him, that's when I stumble.  That's when life seems too hard.  When I remember where my strength comes from, that's when I can function.  It's 10:41, and I'm pleased to say I crossed everything off of my to do list.  Well, mostly everything.  My dining room looks like a truck hit it, but that can be picked up tomorrow.













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