I work my full-time job from a desk in the corner of my bedroom. Just to the right of my chair is the only full-length mirror in the house. It hangs on my scratched-up, builder-grade closet door and reflects me sitting at my desk. And usually, a kid who comes visiting.
There’s laundry piled high on one side of the chair. I don’t know if it’s dirty or clean— probably both. Until April, there was a Christmas tree peeking out in the corner. I’ve had the desk chair since college, and my chipped-paint desk was a garage sale find. Packages opened but not dealt with lie just out of my mirror view. Jeans wait in a bag to be returned. Summer activity brochures splay open on the carpet, my desk tasks spilling over onto the floor.
Outside the bedroom/office door, my kids bicker and protest bedtime, and more laundry waits. House projects compel, dishes fill the sink, and the empty fridge reminds me I need to get groceries, stat.
I only must turn around to see the ways I’m behind on life.
My to-do list always overruns the lines on a page, reminding me that it will never end. It’s not hard to get overwhelmed by it all. So many tasks. Some nonnegotiable, others that can (and will) wait. Yet amidst the to-do’s engulfing me, there’s a tiny nugget of peace when I remember the Hands that are truly holding all things together.
When I’m overcome by the tasks and ordinary stuff of my life, even then God is with me. It doesn’t require a crisis to be exhausted and in need of God’s peace. When we remember to lean into Him instead of fretting over what remains undone, it can seriously strengthen our hearts.
On the overwhelming and ordinary days, He knows our steps, and He walks them with us. The tasks may pile up, but they’ll never overtake the love, peace, and strength God has for us.
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.“
Psalm 142:3 NKJV
This devotion is by Anna E. Rendell as published in 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle.
Friend, what feels overwhelming in your life today? Ask God to show you the one next step He wants you to take. Ask Him to give you a picture of what the path ahead looks like. Ask Him to reassure your spirit of His steadfast presence. We’d love to hear in the comments what the Lord brings to your mind!
Surely, the Lord is near. His strength is yours. Rest in Him today.
Looking for a meaningful summer read? For more real stories and biblical encouragement for daily life, grab a copy of our (in)courage devotional journal, 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle. We’ve prayed over every page and we know you’ll finish the journey changed by God’s strength.
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Thank you for those encouraging words. Sometimes day to day lifting can be overwhelming.
Seeking God’s guidance and resting in his peace makes the difference.
Anna,
This is so very true. I recently retired from my 35-yr finance job in the corporate world to pursue what I believe is my calling for this season of my life (to write and bake). Everyone keeps asking how am I enjoying “retirement”, but to be honest it’s not really “retirement” – you know the kind where you might golf or fish or travel or play bingo with the ladies, etc. My home has become a mess as I test baking and setting up potential displays for the local farmer’s market. There is paperwork everywhere as I try to get it all together on how to open this business. Then there is another pile as I attempt to write my 2nd children’s book. The pile on the other table has to do with all the estimates and papers as I try to fix my partially collapsed ceiling and roof while dealing with a not so good neighbor insurance company. There are 20+ tabs open on the computer as I look for part-time work.
And I had to just smile as I read about the dishes, laundry, and Christmas tree (oh my) – same here sister. We just put our Christmas tree away in May (too funny) I added Easter eggs to it and placed a cross next to the manger.
BUT – through all of this chaos which yes is indeed overwhelming – every morning I take a walk with Jesus (and my Mom who is with Him), and I read these posts, and I pray. During the overwhelming day – there are moments I stop and breathe and look up. Thank God – He is with us all the time – giving us the strength to keeping going and the peace and rest we need.
Thank you for sharing – so very true.
God bless –
Linda
I was a bit confused at first, reading this article. Just under the title, I saw Aliza Latta was credited with this piece. I know Aliza is a young single author and contributor. It made me think how all the chaos Anna Rendell writes about, would seem like heaven in Aliza’s quieter world. And Aliza’s quiet world would seem like bliss to Anna sometimes.
I love hearing from both these gals! Different perspectives, but the same love and trust in our Savior.
The future feels uncertain for me as I grapple with the loss of my husband, who passed away at the age of 55 after a battle with cancer. We had envisioned a fulfilling retirement together, filled with dreams of traveling the world and exploring new experiences. He was not only a devoted partner but also a hardworking provider who gave me everything without me having to ask. His absence leaves a profound void in my life, and I miss him dearly. I believe that God has a plan for us, and while dealing with grief is incredibly challenging, I pray for the strength and guidance to navigate this journey. His memories will always hold a special place in my heart.
I was feeling overwhelmed with a headache that I went to bed with last night and woke up with this morning. I work at a library, and I know that the schedule has been such that I can’t call off today. With a headache cap on, I went outside to Google an “Anna E Rendell” incourage podcast to listen to. I chose one from July 17, 2024. I took some notes and listened to the whole podcast. In it, Anna mentioned, incourageme.com, so after the podcast, I went to the website and saw that today’s devotion entry from the book in her podcast was the exact same one that I had just listened to. I call that a Godwink and a Sacred Echo! God wanted me to focus on what He had to say about “Struggle in the Ordinary”. In the podcast, the verse Anna shares from Psalm 142 really spoke to me: “Listen to my cry for I am very weak.” She encourages the listener that God is holding all things together with His Hands (even my headache and the very bare bones schedule at work that makes me realize that I am going to work today with a headache). I am grateful for Godwinks like this that happen every day in my life as I intentionally look for God’s footsteps walking with me. I hope this Godwink encourages someone else today. I’m thankful for how God used Anna’s podcast and devotional entry on incourageme.com to give me a sacred echo of God’s goodness in my life, even on the hard days.
I think the thing that I can get overwhelmed by is thinking too much about what if and thinking about not doing enough. I need to work on getting out of those mindset and remember I’m loved no matter what happens throughout the day, no matter what I do or how many things I accomplish in a day or Bible verses I have read in a day, etc. He loves us in every way. I’m thankful for that.