Mom Heart Moments #327

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

“WHAT WAS THE DRIVER IN THAT CAR THINKING? I can’t believe anyone would drive that way!”

I have noticed when I am too busy and have taken responsibilities on my shoulders that only God can carry, I become harsh. Busyness and overcommitment lead to a loss of desire for the things that are normally important to me. I care less for the lost, have little patience for my children, and tend to see people as irritating. God is a distant thought that I glance toward with guilt, thinking He must be disappointed with me because I just haven’t had time for Him, but I have just been so busy . . .

Fretting is also a hint. When I find myself going over and over issues about money, family, children, church, ministry, duties, holidays, housework, and other burdens, giving so much energy to fretting, when the Bible clearly tells me not to, I know I’ve gotten too busy.

Then, I tend to become cynical. “I do so much, and there is no one to help.” And of course, “If I don’t do it or take responsibility, no one else will.”

It is so easy to begin to live a works-oriented life, and then to think that without me, things will fall apart. That is when I become weary. Then I say, “Lord, don’t you care that I am drowning?!”

God is not biting His nails wondering if I am going to get it all done. He is not abusive, watching from heaven just waiting to give me more than I can handle. So slowly, I have had to learn if I am consistently feeling too much stress or too much weight on my shoulders, that means I am attempting to do things that He has never asked or expected me to do, or else doing my legitimate tasks in my own strength.

Are you feeling overwhelmed today? What are you carrying in your own strength? How can you release your concerns to God?