About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Thank you I didn’t know I needed to hear this but as I was reading your post I now know I do! Taking my worries to God right now as I turn in for the night. Goodnight from New Zealand x

    • Thank you. Lots of concerns consuming us at the moment – and this has helped me realise
      I need to bring them to the Lord more fully, and perhaps pray a little differently.

    • I completely understand, Jas. Concern has such a subtle way of quietly slipping into our thoughts and then, layer upon layer, we started to worry and don’t even know it’s happening.

      Praying for you as you lay it all before Him and let Jesus carry you and all that concerns you.

  2. I catch myself sometimes even “worrying” my prayers. Thank you for this step-by-step description of releasing the details of our days and schedules into God’s governance.
    Blessings!

    • I loved reading your words Michele. I hadn’t really thought of it as a step-by-step process but now that you described it that way, I do. And I”m going to use it as such this week. 🙂

  3. Renee,
    I tend to look at my schedule all at once with a deer caught in the headlights approach. I not only look at today’s tasks, but I look at tasks awaiting me 3 weeks down the road and no wonder I get overwhelmed. God offers me grace for today and today only. He won’t give me grace today for what I’m worrying about 3 weeks down the road. I have to trust that 3 weeks from now, He’ll give me grace for that day, just like He gave me grace for this day. Same thing with the manna from heaven. Just enough for today….no saving up to satisfy tomorrow. All of this is easier said than done, but that’s when I look back over the times I thought I’d never get through….and guess what? God made a way…one day at a time. Great reminder as I’m sitting here thinking of what all needs to get accomplished. Joining with you in NOT making worrying one more things on my list I need to do!!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  4. Thank you, Renee. This is exactly what I needed today. That very thought crossed my mind just yesterday, what if I could just run away? My daughter’s family will be visiting Asheville to see the Biltmore all dressed in Christmas splendor. So tempted to go! The mountains are calling, but I know God does not have that trip on my agenda. He has more planned for me than I could ask or imagine. Blessings to you and thank you, dear friend.

    • Praying for you and your job right now Ashley. Praying that God gives you peace, clarity and calm as you entrust your concerns to Him, and do what you can while trusting Jesus with it all.

  5. Needed this today! Always amazes me that God blesses us with what we need in His perfect timing! Thank you for sharing! God bless you ❤️

  6. Wow! Perfect timing. I’m ashamed to admit that I get so stressed this time of year that the joy that should be uncontainable is buried deep under a mountain of worthless fret. I can easily let the concern of “how do I get it all done” totally immobilize me. I long to “run away” to where I have no choice but to set those tasks and concerns out of mind because they cannot possibly be dealt with from that distant locale. And guilty too, Michelle, of “worrying my prayers.”

    Thank you all for being here daily.

    • Lord, I pray You would calm Mary’s anxious thoughts and melt her worries away with the assurance of your peace. Remind her that You are with her, and want to carry her burdens for her. In Jesus Name, amen.

  7. Renee,
    Thank-you for your post and your prayer, they were very thoughtful.
    I’d like to pray the sane for all of you too.
    Blessings to all,
    Penny

  8. This – “Jesus showed me it was worry, not my workload, that was making me weary.” I can’t even begin to tell you how much I needed to read this today. Thank you! God’s timing was PERFECT!

    • Hi there. So good to see your pretty smile, Bethany. The day Jesus showed me it was worry, not my workload, was HUGE for me too. Glad it’s just what you needed. 🙂

  9. Renee, I heard Darrin Whitehead (Chris Tomlin’s pastor) say, “I don’t worry, I worship.” I’ve been trying to do that and it works. God bless you as you work through these hard things. xo

    • I love how we can take our worries, and turn them into worship by focusing on all that God can do, instead of all we think we need to do. It’s a powerful perspective change, isn’t it??

  10. Thank you and God for the wisdommy heart so needed to hear. Added toy list of what I am grateful for, sister. Blessings in your life Anand in our busy day that glorifies God

  11. Thank you so much! I have been worrying for mo thx about time management and changes I need to make both personally and in my work. Your gentle post has helped me to see how I simply bring God with me in my worry, rather than me going to Him to talk about everything. A very timely post during this waiting time of year.

  12. “Jesus showed me it was worry, not my workload, that was making me weary.” WOWZA. What a truth bomb. Thanks Renee for bringing me back to the heart of the matter. Appreciate these words today so much.

    • Sarah expressed my thoughts, beautifully . Renee, wow. Needed that. Need that. Will need that tomorrow! So glad I took a break from working to help me take a break from worrying, too. Blessings!

      • I’m so glad it helped you both as much as it helped me. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement!! And here’s to less worry, lighter workloads and a life of trust-filled worship.

  13. Oh yes…this is a perfect devotional for so many of us, particularly we women. Thank you so much!
    Yet, may I lovingly offer the vital importance of rest and renewal. Experiencing the same life filled with wasted worry, a number of years ago when I was a mom, wife, working woman and trying to do God’s service, I also got clarity about the value of rest for our life and our soul. Even our Lord Jesus Christ retreated for God’s renewal. So, as we faithfully walk His guided path and turn our concerns over to Him, please also remember….it’s really okay to rest as well. Hugs to you all.

  14. Thank you so very much for sharing this wee devotional time with me. I appreciate your reminder about worry, it has brought much needed wisdom into my heart today. Enjoy the SONshine, Jayne (Canada)

  15. That it’s not just how I spend my time but how I spend my thoughts…. Wow — did I ever need to hear this. And that was a really helpful idea your husband had. It does help to see things written down. Like a custom-made prayer list. It makes me think of a metal sign I found a few weeks ago that reads “Don’t Count Sheep; Talk to the Shepherd.” Amen <3

  16. Renee,

    Worry does consume us-especially women. We think we can do it all-juggling work, ministry & home. We can if we allow Christ’s strength to help us. First we need to pray about our schedules & go at them one day at a time. Don’t look 2-3 days or even week down the road. Just focus on today.

    My biggest concern right now is n=my in-laws. They were both in the hospital Thanksgiving week. Father-in-law went home Thanksgiving day. Mom-in-law had heart cath last Saturday & now is in rehab-also getting high dose antibiotics for UTI. They are both in the mid-late 80s & have a myriad of health issues including prostate cancer. I want to be available to help them out as much as possible.

    Blessings 🙂

  17. Thank you for the timely post! So needed this reminder. Lots of big life changes ahead and all i can do is worry and have been so weary.
    I need to trust God and His plan and that he will work out the details.

    • Praying for you Marne as I read your words here, and feel the weight of all you’re carrying. He’s there, waiting to hold it all for you. xoxo

  18. Renee, Yes as a society we weigh ourselves down with a never-ending to-do task list where overwhelm and stress resides. What a beautiful eye-opening experience of your post that isn’t the”list” but the worry that magnifies all. Turning to Jesus to hand over so we can worship instead of worrying ourselves to the ground.

    Devine timing for your post.

  19. My concerns and worries have nothing to do with schedules or commitments but your message and the verses were still so timely. Thank you for the reminder to cast my cares/concerns on Him. He has not failed me up to now and that’s what I hold on to.

  20. Wow, just what I needed today! I have lightened my workload recently and find myself with enough free time to feel like my life *should* be less heavy, but it hasn’t been yet. Of course, in typical mom fashion, that has led to more guilt–you know the drill, if I have enough time to read a book or take a bath or visit a museum, why do I always feel like I don’t have enough time for anything? It’s a vicious cycle. I never considered that it was my thoughts rather than my actions that are making me weary.

    • Oh Melanie, I so get it. From one guilt-trip frequent flyer, I pray you could give yourself grace sweet friend. Grace to enjoy the peace that comes with margin, and the rest (or bubble baths) that are so good for your soul. THEN, you will be able to pour your very best self into your family. PS. Jesus loves taking care of you!!

  21. For some reason this ended up in my inbox today after honestly years of not having anything from you show up, but it was God’s timing and gentle reminder. I have several worries and concerns that have consistently plaguing me. 1. My grandma is in hospice on the other side of the country and my mom can only be there for the month of December. So I have been praying she would pass while Mom is out there. 2. God has presented me with a publishing journey and I have been very anxious about following those steps and waiting patiently for His guidance and steps. Thank you for the prayers. God has used your words to give at least a moment of peace. Now to not just grab those concerns back. God bless.

    • Hi Crystal, I love that Jesus made sure my email made it into your inbox. I am praying for you, and have been since Dec 6th when I read your comment on my phone (but couldn’t respond) I”m praying that you would feel God’s nearness, that His strength and comfort would be your guide and that His peace would surpass your understanding as you trust and rest in Him.

  22. I seem to have lost my way with the Lord and cannot hear His voice maybe because my focus has been too much on my failing marriage. We are lacking communication n closeness that that’s all I seem to be constantly aware of and not sure what to do. God help me to give my husband and marriage to You… so that I can just focus on my relationship with You and let You take care of Him as You see best.

    • Beth I can relate to your situation as I’m going through the same thing. I have been focusing on all the negative things that my husband is doing and pulled away from God. I have been so unhappy and I realise that when things are not good witj my husband, I lose focus in all areas of my life. A wise friend told me that I should act the opposite to what my husband has come to expect, so instead of arguing don’t respond if he says something that I don’t like. She also told me to pour out my heart to the Lord and since yesterday, I’m trying to pray at different times in the day and it’s making me feel better. Trust God with your problems and draw close to him. Only God can make a difference.

    • I am praying for you right now Beth, and have been since I read your note on December 6th on my phone. You may feel lost, but God has found you. He is near. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you and accepts you just as you are, right where you are. He cares about your marriage. Praying a peace that surpasses your understanding wraps around your heart as you trust in Him and lean into His warm, safe, strong embrace. In Jesus name amen.

  23. I have been worrying a lot about moving house and it was causing me to get anxious and getting agitated with my husband. I could only see negative things such as a longer journey each day for the school run and being in traffic. This evening my husband took me on the journey from the school to the new house and then back home. Yes there was traffic but praise God we had a safe journey. Please pray for me to surrender my cares to the Lord and embrace change and a new season. Thank you.

    • I just prayed for you tonight Sophia! I am so glad your husband had the gentle insight to have you take you for that journey so you could see what this new path will look like and experience God’s peace in it. Sometimes the not-knowing is the hardest part. May HE kindly lead you as you make this transition.