Are you extremely tired and frustrated, lately? Have you been feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the demands of your daily life? You are not alone. Today, I share a glimpse of my own experiences dealing with life as an overwhelmed Mom. It's an excerpt from my 15 day devotional, Refresh and Refocus - a simple reminder that when everything seems to be falling apart around you, start with God...
Immediately, he adjusted the windows, allowing me some fresh air as he pulled the car over. The sudden turn of events caused us to forget the argument as we shifted our attention to helping me feel better. Intuitively, I started to use breathing techniques I learned over the years and soon I felt myself getting calmer. Later that day, as I thought about what happened, it dawned on me that I had just experienced my first panic attack. I was puzzled and bewildered because “things like these” didn’t happen to "people like me". I simply didn’t get panic attacks. Panic attacks were reserved for people who were constantly stressed and didn't have their lives under control. For sure, this pregnancy was to blame. For the first time in my life, I was overweight and struggling to move myself from place to place. I was exhausted from lack of sleep since my sides and hips were enduring constant pains. I was constantly vomiting and unable to keep any food down. My body had become my worst enemy. I had endured enough of this roller coaster of a pregnancy. Feeling broken and helpless, I could hardly function. Didn’t God see that this was too much for me to handle? Hesitantly, I approached my Father. I was feeling guilty for neglecting my relationship with Him over the years. We would talk often enough but I had lost the habit of bringing my needs to Him. For a long time, I tortured myself with thoughts that He would be unwilling to help me since I hadn’t been consistent in seeking Him or loving Him. He, however, pulled my thoughts to the life of the psalmist, King David, who had also been blindsided, repeatedly, by tumultuous life situations; who had turned away from God’s principles in moments of weakness. David understood that in God’s eyes he was always loved. He understood that His mistakes could never separate him from God. He learned that when he was feeling most disturbed and troubled, God was his best Helper. He, like me, felt the compulsion "to draw nigh unto God" in times of adversity. Read Psalm 34:18-20 (NIV) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Reflect & Journal Identify a moment in your life when you first noticed that you were on a path to being overwhelmed or when you first had a meltdown that came out of nowhere? How did you feel? How do you think God felt about the situation? Pray Father, today, I draw close to you because I am feeling extraordinarily overwhelmed. I feel burdened, tired, confused and alone. As I am reminded that you are never far from me, help me to be willing to come to You when I feel this way. Help me to know that even when our relationship has deteriorated, Your heart is always positioned towards me. Forgive me for walking away from the comfort of your love. Amen Additional ResourcesFor more excerpts from my devotional, Refresh and Refocus, sign up here.
If you would like to find out how you can take some small but intentional steps to get your energy back and start doing the things you love again, contact me to learn more about my online spiritual rejuvenation retreat. You can also learn more here. I would also love your feedback on what you have read. Email me here or leave a comment below.
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Kareen HartleyI help women overcome chronic stress and reconnect with their purpose and passions in a way that revitalizes and energizes them.Prayer
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