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

Cultivating Peace

Dear Deserving Woman,

You deserve peace. All that you do and all that you take on are admirable, and you should be celebrated and cared for. However, you may not be receiving the appreciation that you deserve. As a mother, I understand that mothering is often a thankless job involving countless hours, many nights of worrying, and days with limited rest.

You've likely spent too much time living without peace. I want to remind you that Jesus came to give us peace in this conflicted world. He is aware of our limitations and desires us to come to Him when we are troubled, afraid, or overwhelmed. We can rest everything upon His shoulders and find peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV).

My question to you is, do you want peace? Do you truly want to bring your life into balance and not feel so burdened with the change of season that you are in? In order to cultivate and maintain peace, we must genuinely want it. Sometimes, we can be so used to living in chaos and being on the edge of our seats that we feel comfortable and safe in that space. You may need to get uncomfortable to find lasting comfort.

Often, being overwhelmed creates anxiety and makes it difficult to reason, focus, and rest. In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul provides instructions for living anxiety-free and finding peace. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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."

This passage of scripture provides excellent guidance on giving God our worries and concerns. Through prayer, we can present our requests to Him, and He will work everything out. We must first believe and relinquish control of our situations. By doing this, we can find freedom from overwhelming thoughts and receive inner peace that allows us to cope seamlessly with life's changes.

Reflection: What cares have you not released to God? How are they preventing you from having the peace that you need? What will you surrender so that you can be free from overwhelm?

Did this plan encourage you? If so, don’t stop here. Continue to receive the encouragement and tips needed to maintain your peace and overcome feelings of overwhelm and stress. Visit the Overwhelmed No More collection today at www.confidentlily.com/overwhelmed and download your “21-Days for Me” plan today. You can also learn more about the author there. Thank you!