Overwhelmed? seven scriptures to Pray

(Post originally written February 13th, 2020)

Tonight I was vigorously scrubbing the kitchen floor because tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I want the house to be nice, tidy, and relaxing for my hubby. But in the midst of my scrubbing, I started thinking about expectations.


Just ask my kids, students, or husband - I have HIGH expectations for the people in my life. But the person whom I hold to the highest of standards? Myself. Me.


I am my number one critic.


I’ll be the first to admit that I have overly ambitious, perfectionist tendencies. That Drive. Me. Crazy. But also, they just drive me.


I want to keep a spotless house, while working a full time job in hopes of someday buying a bigger home, so I can host lots of people and cook lots of delicious meals for everyone. And I want to be a good and thoughtful neighbor. And I want to be the best employee at my job and teach my many different assigned curriculums in the most engaging, exciting way for my students, without letting anyone down. And I want to go back to school for my own next academic pursuit in the meantime. And of course I want to be the best mom I can be, giving my kids lots of love and experiences and wisdom and quality time and affection and things. And when I think I’m falling short, the mom guilt is all-consuming. And I want to be a devoted and doting wife. And I want to make lots of cool art and write a relevant book and pursue a million other little hobbies. I want to pay off all of our debt and grow a substantial savings. I want to be invested in ministry and volunteer more at my church. And you know I want to spend time with God and pursue His calling for me.  I want to keep reading and listening to podcasts and going to conferences and growing. And honestly, I just want my car to stay clean! And for the laundry to be caught up. For more than a day. And I want to be really healthy. And eat mostly plant-based. And I want to look thin and glowing and polished and be well dressed while doing ALL THE THINGS! 


Phew!


Some days it feels like I’ve got a grip on all of it and a good rhythm going and that everything is going to work out okay. But then other days, like today, it all just feels like too much to balance, and honestly, it kind of feels like I’m drowning in a million duties of my own making. 


The only true sense of relief when I’m feeling this way? To pray.

7 Scriptures to Pray when You’re Feeling Overwhelmed with Responsibility 
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1. "He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

God knows that life can be exhausting and hard, but He never asks us to navigate it alone. He gives us what we need not just to carry on, but to SOAR.

2. "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from he dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you." Romans 8:11

Is there anything more empowering than knowing the same Spirit that literally brought Jesus back to life has been given as a gift from God unto us? The Spirit of God lives within us. His Spirit is our helper, our teacher, our comforter, our wisdom, and our strength.

3. "But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5

It's easy in this world to get overwhelmed with things we think we should be doing, but God's word makes it simple. We should focus on doing the work He calls us to do, and we can rest assured that if He calls us to ENDURE something hard, He will equip us with the self-control and ability to endure it.

4. "Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him." Psalms 4:3

Often when we are overwhelmed, it's because we have a lot of responsibilities. But God's word and Spirit gives us the strength to continue to be faithful in what we are responsible for; we can call on Him for strength.

5. "Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much." Luke 16:10

This Scripture encourages me to continue embracing what I've been entrusted with. When I struggle to keep our small apartment organized and uncluttered, I remind myself that this is my trial run to be faithful in homemaking. If I don't want to care for 750 square foot, what makes me think I would want to care for two or three times as much?


6. "I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Whatever it is you have to do or want to do, it can be done by His strength.

7. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

At the end of the day, we have to humble ourselves, in acknowledgement of our humanity and shortcomings. We can only do the best that we can, but so long as we are faithful to Him and rest in His strength, He will take care of us, EXALT us, even!