Overwhelmed No More: Balancing Life’s Changes a 5-Day Devotional Plan By: Alicia Renee’ Robertsਨਮੂਨਾ

Just Breathe

Dear Overwhelmed Woman,

I invite you to close your eyes, take a big, deep breath, and slowly exhale while relaxing your shoulders. Repeat the deep inhale, this time imagining yourself exhaling all the stress and worries from the day. If you can repeat the breathing a third time, I challenge you to erase any distracting thoughts and worries from your mind as you exhale.

Now that your mind is clearer and you may be more relaxed, I pray that you are in a great place to receive the message that I want to share with you through this plan.

The message is: You don't have to live in a state of overwhelm and stress, even in the midst of what feels like a juggling act of priorities and constant change.

"Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth, I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61: 1-2, NKJV).

In Psalm 61, David is crying out to God for help. He mentions that he is at the end of the earth, which could mean at the end of his rope, at his wit's end, or at a point of despair. In these two verses, he asks God the following:

1. To hear his cry and attend to his prayer because he knew that if he cried out to God and made his petition known, God would hear him and answer his prayer.
2. To lead him because he trusted God's guidance and direction.
3. To get to a place that was higher than where he was because he knew God would provide him shelter and a place of resolve that he was unable to provide for himself.

Like David, you may be at the end of your rope and need a breakthrough. I understand, and I see you! I know what it is like to be overwhelmed. As a working single mom and business owner, I know all too well what it feels like to try to balance more than your plate can handle. I've learned how to release and give God everything, including the things I can't handle, and you can do the same.

Reflection: What would a peaceful life look like for you? Begin to ask God to help you reduce the stress in your life.