Early this morning as I got up to read my Bible and then write to you
ladies, I just found that there were so many things on my mind I couldn't
do it! I kept thinking about the numerous things I need to accomplish
and the noise of it all rolled around in my thoughts and crowded out the
peace. There is Christmas shopping, decorating and baking still to do...daily
homeschooling responsibilities...my father's birthday present needs to
be purchased and mailed...the piano teacher needs a gift before this weekend...what
to fix for dinner tonight...holiday cards that need to be mailed out on
time...phone calls that need to be returned....letters that need to be
answered...the laundry that needs folding....groceries that need to be
purchased... On and on the noise in my head went! The only word I could
think of to describe it is "overwhelmed". That's what I am this morning
- or was.
How about you, dear lady? Have you ever felt flooded with responsibility,
have you ever felt weakened by the stress and pressure the flow of life
brings upon you? Of course you have! While living in this old world it's
hard not to feel that way at times, amen? I found this morning a portion
of scripture that describes perfectly the feeling of being overwhelmed.
See what you think of it....
Psalm 69:1&2, "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters,
where the floods overflow me."
As I thought about those verses above and how close they came to describing
the way I was feeling, the next thing I had to do was to consider what
I was going to do about it! What steps was I going to take knowing that
I felt like I was drowning in my duties? What steps do you usually take
to lighten the anxiety you feel over the challenges you face? At this
point, I came upon another portion of scripture that went right along
with my train of thought:
Psalm 43:5, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul: and why art thou disquieted
within me? hope in God...."
After reading this verse, I knew what I was going to do, I knew what I
NEEDED to do - hope in God! If I were physically drowning in a body of
water I would cry out for help, amen? So it is when we are spiritually
or emotionally drowning as well... I needed to just get on my knees in
prayer and tell my Father in heaven the truth that I was feeling overwhelmed
today, and all the reasons why - just like I listed them to you! You know
ladies, sometimes we just need to state the obvious in our prayers, amen?
When our circumstances leave us feeling overwhelmed, whenever we feel
anxious or uptight, we need to pour our hearts out to the Lord and hope
in Him for help..... Is that your battle plan?
Psalm 57:2, "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all
things for me."
It's amazing what a difference it makes in us when we tell the Lord everything!
It feels like you just lost 10 pounds, amen? Did you ever wonder why that
is? It is because when we pour our hearts out unto the Lord, we are actually
demonstrating that our security is in Him! We are also demonstrating a
sense of insecurity in our own strength as we considered in yesterday's
devotion. So then, if we aren't pouring our hearts out to the Lord, that
means we are trusting in ourselves to handle everything! Are you really
capable of that?? I'm not! What is your attitude today toward your own
abilities? Do you recognize how much you need the Lord, or are you living
in a manner independent of Him? Are you convinced that He can help you
do a better job? The psalmist was, and we ought to be as well....
Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me...."
In what area of your life could you depend more on the Lord? Over the
next few days, and especially during this holiday season when the pace
of life increases, why don't you set aside some time to express in prayer
your confidence in God's power and strength to help you handle all of
your responsibilities? Remember, whenever your heart becomes heavy and
overloaded with the cares of life, get rid of the weight - pour out your
heart before the Lord in earnestness and hope in Him; acknowledge your
need for His help! When we're drowning, we need to be on higher ground,
amen? Find your sense of security in the Lord - it's the only way to keep
from being overwhelmed!
Psalm 61:2, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart
is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 62:8, "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart
before him: God is a refuge for us."
Ahhh, I feel so much better! And you will too....
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
