Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV — 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.

Yesterday I encouraged you to look back and remember your journey. When I became overwhelmed with life’s circumstances while working on National Board recertification God told me to look back and remember my recertification journey. 

As I looked back, I remembered. It all began one of the last days in January of that year. I knew the time was growing near for me to register for the recertification process so I decided to check the website. When I opened the page I nearly fainted. The last day to sign up and pay the $1200 registration fee was January 31st, less than a week away. My husband and I had planned on using some of our tax refund money for the fee. We hadn’t filed our taxes yet. Where in the world would I come up with that much money so fast? At that moment I was overwhelmed with worry. I immediately sent a text to a pastor friend who sent back, “God’s got this!” Her words of assurance comforted me and gave me peace. At that moment I knew that God would handle the details if this was His will. Later that evening a friend sent a group text to myself and others inviting our families to have dinner at their house in a couple days. I felt led to share with them my news of needing to come up with $1200 in a rush and asked them to pray for guidance. In a few short minutes one of those friends sent me a private message offering to let me borrow the funds until we received our tax refund. OVERWHELMED! Again that is what I felt. Completely overwhelmed! This time I was overwhelmed by God’s awesome power and presence. I knew right then that this text was an answer to prayer. My friend shared with me that accepting the money was an answer to her prayer as she had prayed earlier in the week for an opportunity to use this money to help someone. What an awesome way God had answered both our prayers!

When you look back are you able to see how God has answered your prayers? How has God overwhelmed you with His loving presence? Listen to “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy Weave. Today may you be overwhelmed by the love and presence of God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your overwhelming love and presence. May I never forget Your overwhelming love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 46:9 NIV — Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Yesterday I shared about a time when I felt overwhelmed during my National Board recertification process. When I cried out to God He told me to remember how this journey began.

Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, I encourage you to look back and remember. Allow God to lead you back to the beginning of your journey and show you from where you have come. Spend some time reminiscing with God and allow Him to wrap His arms around you and embrace you as only He can. Listen to “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns and be comforted.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Hold me tight as I look back and remember the road that brought me to this place. Remind me of Your presence then and now. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:13 RSV (Revised Standard Version) — I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

In yesterday’s post I told you about a time I felt overwhelmed while trying to complete my National Board recertification. At that moment, I started praying for God’s strength and guidance. Then I texted several friends that are prayer warriors and explained my stress. They all gave me loving and encouraging words. One dear friend said, “Deep breath…breathe in Jesus and breathe out that stress!” So I did. As I breathed in Jesus, I poured out my stress to Him. I told Him how much I had to do, as if He didn’t know. I told Him it was impossible and He said yes it is impossible on your own. I wondered, why in the world did I sign up for this National Board process anyway? He told me to remember how this journey began. So I thought back to the beginning of my recertification process.

What makes you feel overwhelmed? How do you handle feelings of being overwhelmed? Examine your response to feeling overwhelmed. Do you start out with prayer? Do you call on prayer warriors to join you in prayer? Recognize the need to rely on Jesus and allow Him to give you guidance, strength, and courage. Breathe in Jesus and pour out your stress to Him. Before rushing into the next thing on your list, read this article titled, “7 Christian Mindfulness Exercises” for a Christian approach to dealing with feeling overwhelmed.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for reminding me that I cannot accomplish tasks with my own strength. Help me to rely on You and turn to You for guidance and direction. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 61:1-3 KJV — Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, 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. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 

OVERWHELMED! That is what I felt. Completely overwhelmed! I was in the throes of completing my National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recertification on top of my normal life duties of wife, mother, active church member, and my job as a teacher. I felt like I was drowning. I felt like there was no end in sight and that the tasks before me were impossible.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your life circumstances? Are you feeling overwhelmed today? Do you feel like the waves of life keep knocking you down and you are drowning? Re-read today’s featured scripture. Let’s follow David’s lead today as in the scripture. As we enter into worship today, let’s follow God to the “rock that is higher” and embrace God as our “strong tower.” Listen to “Strong Tower” by Kutless and allow God to lead you to His shelter of peace and strength.

Let’s pray. Dear God, You are my Strong Tower. Help me when I feel overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher so I do not drown. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Join me by clicking the link to 👉 See You Saturday as I talk about the Fourth Watch!

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭148‬ ‭NIV — My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. ‬‬

Watches of The Night according to Wikipedia

Matthew 11:28 NIV – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Too much thinking can make us weary. Thankfully in our key verse today, God says we can come to Him when we are weary. Just like God can wake us up before our alarms, sometimes we struggle to fall asleep. We are so tired but can’t stop our minds from racing. Instead of counting sheep, we can count blessings statements to God. Just like our earthly relationships long for a hug or kiss goodnight, God desires for us to return to Him at the end of our busy schedules. My five examples of blessing statements include; “I am blessed to have woken up to a new day,” “I am blessed to have a busy household to clean and cook for,” “I am blessed to have the opportunity to work for my Heavenly Master today,” “I am blessed to take time for self-care,” and “I am blessed to have breath in my lungs as I share my blessing statements.” 

Can you list five blessing statements that you can say to God before bed? Now that we have returned to God through our blessing statements, do you feel refreshed? Notice Ray’s photo of the sun setting over the Pawleys Island Chapel. As the sun sets tonight, I encourage you to be reminded of your blessings.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for all Your wonderful blessings. Help me to see my busy schedule as an opportunity to return my blessings back to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm 51:10 NIV – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Being alone in our thoughts is only good if we don’t let those thoughts take control. Sometimes we need to ask God to renew those thoughts and lift our spirits. Our bodies as God’s temple, house the Holy Spirit. Periodically cleaning our houses by taking inventory of our thoughts is important. Just like we can hold onto too many earthly things that will not last, we can hold onto thoughts that won’t create a renewed steadfast spirit. 

I love it when God wakes me up before the alarm goes off so that I can get my thoughts under control before I start my day. Like Ray’s staircase photo, our thoughts can spiral out of control. If this ever happens to you, I encourage you to use that time for prayer.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your listening ear. I surrender the thoughts that are battling my mind today. I surrender all the scenarios that are keeping me from living in the moment. I surrender all the “what ifs,” all the “would haves,” “could haves,” “should haves.” Create in me a pure heart with pure thoughts. Renew a steadfast spirit within me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.