_edited.png)
It’s has been such an overwhelming year!! With news of sickness, death, oppression, and evil everywhere. In addition to all that, we still have issues in our personal lives to deal with— like work, family, financial obligations and so much more.
With all that’s going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and totally unable to cope. The truth is we aren’t designed to live with so much pressure and stress, that’s why stress greatly affects our wellbeing.
Stress has a way of leaving you mentally, emotionally, physically, and even spiritually drained. It’s also impossible to enjoy and make the best out of life when you are constantly feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burdened with life.
Here’s some good news— in the midst of all life’s difficulties, you can still thrive and enjoy life. That’s what God desires for you.
1. Cast your cares
When you feel overwhelmed, cast all your cares and worries to God. Not some, but all of it, and leave it right there.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.- 1 Peter 5:7
This is one of those verses we like to quote but seldomly practice. The instruction is for us to give ALL our worries to God but most times, we only give SOME of our worries or GO BACK to collect what we’ve given.
Casting all our cares requires trust and we sometimes struggle because we lack trust or don’t believe that God really cares. So we choose to carry those burdens even though it would cost us.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in these past few months, it’s that worrying is a choice. When we worry, we indirectly question God’s ability to move on our behalf(doubt), which makes the mind unstable and we can’t receive from God with an unstable mind.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.-James 1:6-8
Some time ago, during my quiet time, the Holy Spirit said to me Why do you choose to worry when you have someone willing to help you? This statement has stuck with me ever since.
I know that life can be hard but in the midst of every hardship, we have HELP!!! God cares for you and He is always willing to help. You don’t have to worry or carry those heavy burdens.
Exchange your cares and worries for His rest.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.- Matthew 11:28
2. Protect your peace
Peace is a state of mental, emotional, and spiritual calmness. Feeling overwhelmed or stressed is often a clear sign that your peace is disturbed.
Maintaining a peaceful life requires intentionality. You must be Intentional about the things you think, see, and listen to. If being on social media threatens your peace of mind, then avoid it. If there are friendships, relationships, or bad habits in your life that threaten your peace of mind, avoid them.
It’s difficult to experience God’s peace when you’re knowingly exposing yourself to the things that seek to drown it out. Of course, there will be situations beyond your control that could threaten your peace of mind. When faced with such situations, remember that though you aren’t able to control the situation, you have the power to decide how it affects you.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!- Isaiah 26:3
The peace of God is always available but it’s only accessed when our heart( mind, thoughts) are fixed on Him. Instead of focusing on the wrong things, meditate on God’s word, pray, put on some worship music, and saturate the atmosphere with God’s presence.
In doing so, you will experience the amazing grace of God that will strengthen and lead you through every difficult situation.
3. Let your hair down
Don’t neglect yourself, spend time doing things that relax you, and make you happy. Go out with friends and family, exercise, journal, eat healthily, and laugh; A good laugh recharges your battery.
Most times, our stress response is to hide away, neglect ourselves, and allow the weight of the problem to bear down on us. But doing the complete opposite is needed if you want to rise above the situation and not crumble to the ground.
Some days, I literally don’t want to go to work, do anything or talk to anyone. I just want to lay in bed all day and sulk. But I know better than to give the devil a foothold in my life. The devil wants nothing more than for us to be sad and depressed but we mustn’t give him the satisfaction. Choose joy instead of sadness for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Then Nehemiah told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the lord is your strength and stronghold.- Nehemiah 8:10
コメント