Broken For Building

A few weeks ago as I prepared for a family trip, I lost it. I looked around the house and saw loads of laundry, dishes in the sink, toys on the floor, empty suitcases that needed packing and a host of other chores to do. I was angry and quite stressed out thinking about how all of those things would get done. Now this week, as I return to work, I can’t help but think about how I’m going to all the things I have to do and still be sane. These are some of my daily cares. 

What cares are on your heart right now? We often spend hours and minutes trying to figure it all out. How will this work out? How will I be able to be in two places at once? Where is the money coming from for this? Do I have time to get this task done? Sometimes, it is overwhelming.

Instead of worrying and trying to figure out every detail of life, we need to learn to relax and let God do what He does best. Matthew 6:27 says “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Obviously, we can add nothing positive to life by worrying.  Worrying does nothing but bring additional stress and frustration, while reminding us of our limitations. 

2. Allow God’s consolations to cheer your soul. How does God console us? Through His Word, through worship and through prayer.  Take a deep breath and dig into one or all. Typically, my first inclination is NOT this. Often, I want to call someone and complain or rehash all my concerns. Instead of complaining or meditating on the problem, identify a biblical promise that speaks to your current situation and hang on to it! Sometimes, I put on a song that encourages me and I worship, sing, cry, and dance to it – (YES, I dance alone in my living room). You only need an audience of one. God loves it when we can spend time with Him and Him alone. 

There is no guarantee that life will not throw obstacles in our path. There is a guarantee that God is more than able to enable us to make it through those obstacles. 

God is more than able to hold our hands through the stress. God is more than able to either change the situation or give us grace and strength to get through it.  God is more than able to cheer you up when things around you are not going well.  God can give you joy despite the situation. But will you be available to allow Him to do so?

Lord, I have so many cares and concerns. Help me to put them into proper perspective, to see my cares through the filter of your Word and not through my eyes and emotions. Help to allow myself time to breathe and hear from you, so that you can cheer me up and give me consolation and joy.


*Picture from http://mindfulnessni.org/