The Stress Detox DevotionalSample

THE STRESS OF BUSY THOUGHTS

Sometimes it feels like our lives are way too busy. We’re overworked, overscheduled, and overwhelmed. From food prep to carpool to career to volunteer hours to bedtime routines, we toil and labor at our seemingly endless to-do list from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until our head hits the pillow in exhaustion at night. On the regular, we wear ourselves out and cannot wait for sleep. But once we crawl into bed with expectations of sweet slumber, the battle with those pesky busy thoughts begins. Friend, what is it that keeps you up at night? What worries wake you at two in the morning? What are the concerns that rob you of sleep? Maybe you are scared about your finances because the money needed for bills is more than the money in your checking account. Maybe your friend received a diagnosis that is sure to be an uphill battle, and you don’t want to lose her. Maybe you’re not sure how to help your aging parent and are struggling to find a clear answer. Are you worried about your job? Are you obsessing over what someone said to you in anger? Do you stress about never finding someone to marry or never having kids? Or maybe you have anxiety over the marriage you’re in and the kids you have, feeling like both are headed in the wrong direction. Certainly there is no shortage of stress-inducing situations and circumstances. That’s for sure. Even the psalmist had thoughts that got away from him. He had fears and insecurities play on repeat in his mind. It’s a common battle that connects us as humans. And God—in His graciousness—knew this would be an ongoing issue and made a way to calm our anxious hearts. Notice how the writer understood the power of the Lord’s presence. He knew that inviting God into his madness not only calmed him down but also brought deep delight. It’s a powerful exchange if you think about it. He promises to comfort you in unmatched ways when you ask for His help. When the busy thoughts refuse to leave you alone and instead keep you up at night, you have a decision to make. You can allow your mind to ruminate on them over and over and over again, picking apart the details and playing out scenarios full of horrible outcomes and endings. Or you can choose to give them all to God, asking Him to bring peace and a sense of calm into the stress. You can think back on all the times He came through and all the ways He straightened out your crooked path. You can speak out scripture reminders that God is in control and is always with you. And when you choose to involve the Lord in your middle-of-the-night busy thoughts, you will find rest.

Ask Yourself This. . .

Have I ever asked the Lord to calm my anxious heart?

What do I feel the Holy Spirit is speaking to me right now?