Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from Release: 90 Days to Embrace God’s Plans for Your Life by Bridgette Reed.
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For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. — Isaiah 41:13 ESV
Overwhelm has a way of creeping in when we least expect it. You are going about your day, thinking you are being productive, only to look up and feel a weight of heaviness on you. As you look around at the growing to-do list and loads of laundry that seem to never go away, with the needs of your husband and children on your mind, the feelings of overwhelm can become a huge distraction, not only from hearing God but from having the peace of God. God promises that He will help us—just as He was helping the children of Israel in today’s verse. He was reassuring them not to panic but to trust in Him. He was saying to them (and to us through this Scripture) that no matter what the circumstances may look like, no matter what is going on around you, no matter what you lost and the things you need, He is the Lord your God.
I invite you to think about your circumstances that seem too big for you to handle. Write down a list of things that bring you stress and anxiety—even when you simply think about them. Make a conscious decision to release them to God. Release the need to get it all done. Release the weight of desire for achievement. We all want to feel productive, but what exactly is realistic for our current season?
You can simply ask God, “What is the priority for today, God? What should I focus on right now?” Everything else can wait. No matter what it looks like, God is here to help you. The key question is, will you allow God to help you?
Prayer
Jesus, I release my will and my future to You.
Thank You for helping me through each step.
I acknowledge You here and now, and I put my trust in You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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God has a Plan
The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. — Exodus 14:14
Just stay calm.
How often do we allow our circumstances to throw us into a frenzy of overwhelm, panic, and anxiety? The whirlwind and turmoil of an unexpected situation, a great disappointment, and the unknown have led many of us to feel like we have lost control.
But did we ever have control? The thing about embracing uncertainty is that it is at the core of embracing our trust in our Lord. He promises us that He will fight for us. As the good Father that He is, His love will always go before us to protect us, guide us, and fight for us. We must be prepared for the unexpected. That preparation isn’t necessarily a full-blown plan—A, B, C, or D—but a position of your heart, your will to rest, and your decision to trust God no matter what happens.
We always hope for the best and for things to go our way, but when they don’t, we must know that God has a plan. He is always in control when life unfolds around us. When things don’t go our way, maybe our response should be: “God, I guess You have another plan because this is not going how I imagined. I can’t wait to see what You’re up to.” He knows what is happening in the spiritual realm, and He knows what we can handle. For the person who is in the middle of panicking, unable to stop the tears and worry from flowing, hold on to this promise and today’s Scripture. It might feel like it’s all you have to hold on to, but God will never fail you. The only thing that can never fail us is the Word of God. Speak it back to Him: “God, You said You will fight for me. Help me to stay calm and to trust in You in this situation.”
Prayer
Father, when life becomes too much, and when it all becomes overwhelming, help me stay calm and remember You are here with me. Release me into Your peace, never leaving me and never forsaking me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Excerpted with permission from Release: 90 Days to Embrace God’s Plans for Your Life by Bridgette Reed, copyright Bridgette Reed.
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Your Turn
Are you overwhelmed right now? It happens to all of us from time to time when we least expect it. Release the things that are stressing you out to God today. He’s in control when you aren’t and He wants to help you! ~ Devotionals Daily