From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed: Resting in God’s Plan

 

Again, one of my recent favorite podcasts to enjoy during my morning commute to college is Crystal Evans Hurst's Sister Circle. Today's episode, Crystal emphasized the importance of giving our best to God in everything we do.

This sparked a lot of reflection on my past failures in managing my time. I've often spread myself too thin, and while I've made significant cuts to my commitments, it was necessary due to my limited availability to take on anything new.

A close friend once offered me some valuable advice that has stuck with me. They asked if, while I was busy with various tasks, was I truly excelling at them or merely completing them without full commitment. This insight really helped me reevaluate my approach to what I was doing.

When new opportunities arise, I earnestly seek guidance through prayer to discern if this is a path God wants me to take or if it's one, He intends to close. It can be quite disheartening when a door I believed was meant for me suddenly shuts, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain.

In these moments, I've found myself in tears and experiencing intense frustration. However, once I move past those feelings, I come to understand who truly holds the reins in my life. It's not about me; it's about God. When doors close, I recognize that these are lessons meant to guide me or perhaps a way for him to shield me from unseen dangers. His goodness shines through, and I trust that he has a purpose and a plan for every aspect of my life, one that is already perfectly laid out.

🎜The lyrics of Leanna Crawford’s song ‘Still Waters’ (based on Psalm 23) beautifully capture this sense of peace. 🎜

 

Serving God to our fullest potential becomes challenging when we are both physically and emotionally exhausted. The reality is that we often fall short in these moments. While I can't speak for everyone, I can share my own experience. My service to God should be done with the utmost dedication, filled with joy and gladness. It should come from a sincere heart of a servant, always placing Him first.

I recently decided to step back from teaching my Wednesday night class for 4th and 5th graders. Balancing my family, business, college, and various activities has made me realize that I’ve stretched myself way too thin.

While I love saying yes to God and embracing opportunities, I’m beginning to understand that I can’t take on everything all at once. I truly understand now.

I began reading the Bible in chronological order this past January, and it has been quite an incredible journey. There was a day when I felt completely overwhelmed. In that moment, God guided me to the story of Noah’s Ark, that I have always cherished.

Noah remained steadfast in his faith, trusting God despite having never witnessed rain before the great flood. The concept of rain was foreign to him, making his task of constructing a massive ark seem absurd to those around him. Nevertheless, he proceeded with unwavering commitment because he believed in God's directive. God had a purpose for Noah, and Noah responded with obedience, dedicating himself to the monumental task at hand. One might wonder if he ever felt overwhelmed by other responsibilities or social obligations, yet he chose to prioritize God's plan above all else. Had he faltered in his obedience, the consequences could have been dire. Ultimately, God utilized Noah to restore humanity, and despite being labeled a madman by his peers, Noah's unwavering dedication to his divine calling was paramount.

I don’t know about you, but I love that.

It’s essential to allow God to guide us, as His presence is comforting. Embracing this journey with faith brings a sense of peace that is truly remarkable, as opposed to the exhausting effort of trying to drag Jesus around instead.

Reminder-

God is still writing your story. Quit trying to steal the pen. Trust the Author,