Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
You know how they say that God is faithful? That He gives you the strength to do what you need to? That He will never leave you nor forsake you?
Well, I don't believe it.Now - before you run screaming from this post, wondering who hacked Joanne's blog, gimme a few more paragraphs. Please?
For the past several days, I'd been feeling overwhelmed. I looked at my schedule for this week a few days ago, and it was all I could do to keep my breathing under control.
Saturday? A soccer game at ten, a wedding at 2, and a pool party at 4. Sunday? Church in the morning, and ANOTHER pool party all that afternoon. Driving for a field trip Monday, errands Tuesday and Wednesday, TWO awards assemblies on Thursday, and half day of school Friday.WHEN WAS I GOING TO GET ANYTHING DONE?
Seriously - what was God thinking when he put all that stuff in my life - during the kids' last week of school? That was supposed to be my last few days to enjoy the relative quiet of the house. To get some stuff done with out child interruption. To relax before the craziness of kids 24/7 hit.
Okay - I'll be straight with you. I never SAID these things out loud. Didn't even think them, to be honest. But I sure acted like I did.
Every time I stressed about my loaded schedule, I was doubting His faithfulness. Every time I rolled my eyes as another activity was added to my agenda, I was doubting His willingness to strengthen me for my tasks. And every time I grumbled about what I wouldn't be able to accomplish, I was doubting His plan for me this week. I was assuming He was gonna leave me hanging - forsake me.
Yes, there is an art to panic. And, I'm ashamed to say, it's one I have developed quite a talent for. But if I can trust in God, and remember it is His plan, not mine, that I need to follow, I can have peace instead.
Whether he lightens my load or not (which, by the way, he actually did for this week), I will accomplish EXACTLY what He wants me to, if I will only trust him and abandon the art of panic.
**
How easily do you slip into panic mode? Can you put actions behind the words you speak of trusting Him with everything in your life? How do you transfer your anxiety into trust?
Comment below, and/or stop by Living by Grace and we can chat a bit!
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength
Yes, our actions often don't really so evidence of our belief in God's Word. Reading your post brings to mine a scripture that has become a great comfort to me Deuteronomy 33:25b which says as my day so shall my strength me.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Joanne, how we don't even realize what our actions/reactions are saying about what we really believe. I've been reading Hannah Whitall Smith's The God of All Comfort and hearing the same message there. Definitely something God is prodding me about. We need to take control of our thoughts and line them up with what God says. Easier said than done, but I'm convinced we need to do it by His grace.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, you will enjoy summer vacations. Your kids will drive themselves places and you will watch the clock wondering if they will beat curfew. Oh, new sets of worries. Sorry:) lol
ReplyDeleteHope your week goes wonderfully smooth. Enjoy this time of your kid's lives. It does goes faster than you think then they are gone and you've been left behind:) And it's kinda nice. Let me tell you!
Of course your title MADE me read this. I'm the queen of anxiety attacks lately. Overwhelmed isn't only my middle name, it's my first and last, too. But... I KNOW (and I tell people all the time) God will make sure what is important to Him gets done. And every week, Friday rolls around, and, when I've been faithful to trust in Him, everything on my list is accomplished. When I don't... well, it ain't pretty.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, Jo! When I hit panic, I go into military mode--it's quite effective--though friends and family flee! Then when I'm done, I"m like, "What? Where is everyone?"
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had one of 'those' weeks! And we all have them. The Lord has really used Philippians 4:6-8 with me recently. Love the progression - Don't worry about anything, give it all to the Lord; He'll provide the peace; then I'll be able to think on the right things! Wow! If only I could learn to apply this every day! No more panic! Hugs & God bless
ReplyDeleteI hear you! The last week of school was a nightmare for me, and now we're in the thick of summer and boredom. Dear Lord, please bring your peace to my frazzled mind. How I need Thee every hour!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, sister. You're not alone.
peace~elaine