If you’re like me, you feel overwhelmed on Monday after a busy weekend. You spent Saturday at the mall shopping for clothes with your kids, and Sunday was the church picnic. Before you know it, Monday morning comes, and you’re wishing you had a few more hours to get ready for the full week ahead of you. Overwhelmed is what happens when you look at your day-timer and add everything up without putting God into the equation.
All I can do on this Monday morning that is starting way too soon is to go to my favorite overwhelmed verse: “I will cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)
How to get to that rock that is higher than I?
How do I get my attention away from my day-timer filled with activities and lift my gaze towards the Maker of heaven and earth? This is the self-talk I’m giving myself today.
Give Thanks
As you give God thanks for everything He’s done and all of His gifts, your faith and joy increase, and you remember His goodness. He’s come through for you in the past, and He’ll help you this week too with whatever you need during the days ahead.
Trust
Even when the week looks overwhelming, and you wonder how you’re going to fit everything in without exhausting yourself and turning into Godzilla, you can trust God. He’ll guide you each day. He’ll empower you for each task He’s calling you to do.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7, 8)
Sometimes the heat gets turned up on you, but as you stay connected to God, He’ll keep your leaves green and make you fruitful in each activity that you lift up to him.
Just Do the Next Thing
When life gets busy, slow down for a moment. Ask God for help and just do the next thing. One by one, things get done. Before you know it even a stressful day ends, and you see that His grace was there.
Let Go
Everything God is calling you to do, you’ll accomplish in His strength. Let go of the rest. You can trust Him with the things you simply can’t do. They must not have been part of His plan for you.
Are Mondays stressful for you? What does the week ahead of you look like?
Your words are very encouraging and uplifting to me this Monday morning. Love and blessings to my favorite writer.
So encouraging, Betsy! I especially needed this today as we returned from a 3 day event–it was wonderful, but now have long unfun to do list. The verses are very good and I like your practical hints. “Just do the next thing” is something I practice too. I also try to have an “easy” meal planned for Mon. night which has been a big help. Thank you!
Thanks Marisa! Easy meal on Mondays is a great idea. Another reader wrote a few days ago that she and her husband have nacho and movie night on Mondays to recover from weekends. (Her husband makes the nachos! :-)) I loved that idea too.
Such great reminders, Betsy, thank you!
Happy Anniversary to you and Jose today!! I’m am thanking God for you two and the beautiful family He has given you, and the beautiful work He has given you!!
Love you,
Anne
Oh thank you, Anne. I’m thankful for you too, friend.
thanks, Betsy. this is such good encouragement. i need to hear these things over and over. so don’t stop writing!