Things are moving so quickly and I’m consumed by all of it. I need to regroup and shift my focus. In effort to find peace in times of chaos, I’ve decided to write short devotions to help drown out the noise crowding my mind and heart. I hope you will find them helpful as well. I would like to post them daily but I can’t make that promise (our daily schedules have turned upside down with kids home from school). I will commit to weekly posts but hope to submit them more frequently. I’m thinking about all of you and including you in prayers. Please share these posts with those who may also need reminders of hope. You are NOT alone. Thank you!
March 17
Things feel overwhelming right now and I am afraid. I whirl with worries about the future and become anxious over a million scenarios that aren’t even here yet. I focus on worst-case scenarios in effort to be prepared, and yet it doesn’t help. The world is full of tragedy. Pain and suffering is everywhere and it weighs so heavy on my heart.
Help me to realize the difference between preparedness and panic, concern and fear. Help me relinquish control, so I can focus more on you, God. Remind me to surrender every fear, every worry and anything that’s overwhelming me.
Replace my anxiety with peace, my doubt with assurance and my fear with faith. Help me to call on YOU in times of trouble. Draw me closer to you when I wander towards worry and forgive me when I try to control the things I cannot. I want to seek you for comfort and support.
Thank you for loving me and for being a reliable source of calm that I can call on in the midst of chaos. Help me remember I am dependent on you. You are my security in times of uncertainty. Thank you for never letting me down when I reach for your hand.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. – Psalm 139:10
Extra grace for this hour, and the next, and then the next,
Jodi
** Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels
Thank you so much Jodi for the inspiring devotion. I have been struggling with the isolation and uncertainty of our crisis. I have been praying but knowing I am not alone in how I feel helps so much. God be with all of us, hugs, Maggi
Thank you so very much for posting this- like you , i am scared and unsure of what the future holds for us but i am trying so very hard to hand it all over to God. I am here if you need anything and if you need help with the kids or dogs or what ever, please know i am just a call away…..and about 8 miles …ha….sending you hugs and peace of mind…..
Thanks for writing this. At a time when we are to be physically distancing each other you draw us together.