I recently read that 90 percent of young moms today feel stressed. Do you know one? Maybe you are one.
Alexa, a mom of two toddlers, told me she constantly feels she should be doing more every day, like cleaning, spending time with God, cultivating friendships, taking care of her health, and more. And the more she does without really slowing down to care for her soul, the more stressed she feels.
“When I don’t take the time to emotionally unpack things and instead shove them down, the emotions continue to bubble up and cause me to feel overwhelmed,” she said.
“Sometimes it feels like God is far away, other times it feels like He’s near. I think in the beginning of a new struggle, it’s easy to feel alone and that God is not in the situation with me. But as I try to control my emotions more, I’m able to remind myself of the truths about God: He’s sovereign over all, He cares more about me than the birds in the air and the flowers in the field, and He will never leave me nor forsake me.”
Alexa has grabbed hold of a foundational truth: God cares for His children, so why do we worry?
No matter our age, we tend to forget that we are of utmost importance to our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.
In Luke 12:27, Jesus said, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”
Notice how God-in-the-flesh spoke so tenderly of the birds and then told us how much more we mean to Him than those creatures of flight.
Yet circumstances still arise, at times, that cause us to wonder, even if only for a moment, if God is still in control.
How could this happen?
Why would God allow this at the worst possible time?
Doesn’t God realize I can’t handle one thing more?
Yet Alexa, who has learned to trust God during the stressful times, realizes sanctification—a holiness and growth and purity that sets us apart for His purposes—takes time.
“It all comes down to the slow process of sanctification,” she said. “I want to pray to God for a change and see it happen instantly—or in my timing instead of in His timing. But just like when planting a fruit tree, it takes time and intentionality to receive the fruit of the Spirit. And it’s all God’s doing. Not my own.”
Are you looking to the Lord to slowly grow you, refine you, draw you closer to Himself, and produce more of His character (the fruit of the Spirit) in you?
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Are you letting God grow these characteristics within you, which will help you get through anything? Are you letting Him comfort you and remind you that you are not alone? Are you letting Him strengthen you through whatever comes your way?
If not, it might be time to surrender it all to Him and truly believe He wants to help.
Isaiah 30:15 says: “In quietness and trust is your strength.” In the New Century Version that verse says, “If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong.”
There is something beautiful that the Maker of your soul wants to reveal to you in the midst of your busyness, your disappointments, and your concerns. There is a satisfaction in Him alone that He wants you to discover—or remember—during your stress. There is a peace and calm found only in Him that He wants you to experience regardless of what is swirling around you.
Can you give Him your stress today, realizing He loves you more than anything and He’s waiting to carry these concerns for you?
Lord, how I long to be calm and trust You and there find my strength. Thank You that You care for me more than I realize. Help me to quiet my heart and trust in Your care.
Today’s Challenge: What is the most pressing issue or task on your mind today? Commit it to God and trust that He will clear the way for you to get it done if it’s truly necessary.
(This devotional was taken, in part, from The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God. If you don’t yet have your copy, order it now at an incredibly low price on Amazon.
