Feeling a Little Overwhelmed? Trust God!
Blessings or Burdens?
This weekend has been a tremendous blessing. Jessica and I celebrated our four year anniversary this weekend in Houston at a fancy-shmancy hotel and then at a quaint air b&b. Everything went as well as it could have, but when I arrived home, I had planned on putting together everything for my lesson this week (really the lessons are already made, it’s just a matter of me going over everything and making sure it’s delivered well), and realized I would need to get to school early to make 180, two-page, double sided, stapled copies.
In three years of teaching experience, the Lord has allowed me to learn many lessons: some spiritual, some educational, and some practical. One simple one is this: don’t wait until the morning of to print for your lesson. Beginning to kick myself, blessings the Lord has showered me with began to be confused into lies by an enemy that loves to do such things.
- When will I have time for things?
- An hour drive to work and an hour drive home.
- So many responsibilities. When can I set aside more time for lesson prep?
- I can’t believe I have to have my car taken into the shop again!
And there were about 20 other things that bounced around in my mind, late in the day, when things should never be pondered on deeply or important decisions be made.
You see…each of these are actually blessings.
“6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Now real quick, addressing the exact same four examples from above, but now in the form of a prayer to him, and with an attitude of gratitude…
- “Lord God Almighty, there was a lengthy season in my life when I was a hot mess and had nothing to do to benefit myself and those around me. Thank you for blessing me with so many responsibilities so that I might help love and serve you and others well Sir.
- “Thank you Sir for allowing me to strengthen my faith, and draw myself close to you (see James 4:8) every single morning through listening to sermons preached by powerful preachers. Thank you also for the simple joy of strengthening my abilities as a teacher and writer and tickling my imagination by allowing me to listen to books on tape on the way home from work.”
- “Thank you again for the responsibilities you bless me with. Help me to trust you more, knowing that you will make my path straight (see Romans 8:28) and provide to me all the opportunities to succeed at my work for your glory and kingdom’s sake.”
- “Thank you for allowing a trustworthy mechanic so close to home, family who is willing to help me when the car you have blessed me with requires maintenance, and for us to have the blessing of a second car to allow for us to tend to such things Sir.”
In Jesus’ name, amen, amen, amen and amen!!!!
Remember, God is your Guide
Friends, the enemy would love nothing more than for you to not only dwell on things and not focus on the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior, but to spin the blessings God has given you into the lie that they are burdens. Last week we talked about how God will remind you of important or miscellaneous things throughout your day because he loves you and wants to walk in intimate relationship with you. Verses that God led to mind while I “vented” to my wife all of blessings being confused as burdens included…
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) - “You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4) - “ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Holy Spirit brought these verses to mind, comforted me, led me to seek forgiveness in prayer for not trusting God for a moment, and realize he is making straight my path. This is why we must memorize scripture friends, because in 5 seconds we can be thinking about random junk we don’t need to be, and skewing beautiful blessings from God into a lie that they are things we can’t handle. When we start running with God, he will fill our lives, professionally and personally, with ways in which we can serve him and experience peace. If we don’t stay close to him, life will quickly become unmanageable, so we must continually focus on God.
So if you find your life becoming overwhelming, take a deep breath, if it’s late, go to bed, say a prayer to God thanking him for all he has done and to help you, remember especially what he’s done for you through his Son, and trust him.
Oh, and one other thing: one of the blessings the enemy tried to pervert into a lie tonight was that I wasn’t going to get my weekly post done I had planned on doing tonight.
<drop the mic, walk away>
Lord, we thank you so much that when we become overwhelmed, you are a God here to guide us, comfort us, and give us peace. Thank you for seeking to stay close with us, and sending your Son to die for us on the cross that we might experience eternal intimacy with you forever. Remind us of this truth as many of us go into a shortened work week, and we give you all the glory for both work, and holidays. We love you Sir, and it’s in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
