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.

Psalm 32:7 NIV – You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I have shared with you before that we have been working on creating a backyard bird sanctuary. First, we hung several bluebird houses along our fence. Next, we put out a bird feeder. Lastly, we hung a bird bath. We quickly gained a family of bluebirds. It is a beautiful thing to see them return each year. Often in the summer I sit outside for my devotion as I am doing today. You could say it is my sanctuary and my sacred place. 

What is a sanctuary? According to Merriam–Webster it can be a building or room for religious worship. It can be a place that provides safety or protection. It can be a wildlife sanctuary. It can also be protection from a difficult situation that is provided by a safe place. Where is your sanctuary? Where do you run first when you need to rest in God’s presence? 

In our key verse, we are protected and surrounded with songs of deliverance. In our sanctuaries, we can be free to worship without worldly distractions. Just like Ray’s photo, it is our private sacred place. As you sit in your sanctuary, I encourage you to watch and listen to “Who’s Gonna Stop The King” by Crowder. Alleluia, our God reigns! 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my sanctuary that I can sit and worship You without worldly distractions. I am so blessed to be reminded today that no one can stop You from Your protection and deliverance.