He Has You

There are times in our lives where we become so overwhelmed with all there is to do. It can become such a great weight that we struggle to even do a little of all that stands before us. We look up to the mountain of our tasks and don’t see how we can ever overcome them.

God knows everything you have been through and all that lies ahead. Trust the One who knows. David cried out, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path…” (Psalm 142:3 NKJV).

When we get to a place of being overwhelmed, we often look at our task list as the problem and the never-ending demands as the reason we are suffering. Yet more often than not, we are the problem, and we make ourselves the victim in the place we have put ourselves in.

God would never overburden us, so why do it to ourselves? Jesus said, “…you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed…” (Luke 10:41-42 NKJV). And that One thing is Christ alone.

Whenever you cannot get everything done to your satisfaction, you are using the wrong measure for satisfaction. We are a child of God, and our Father will gladly lead us if we would only follow. Consider you wouldn’t have so many obstacles in your path if your path was truly following the Lord.

The Lord will only go before you if you are following Him. “For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12 NKJV).

If you feel that demands are overwhelming you, then consider which ones you should not have accepted or even sought after. We need to only pick up the load we can carry and not feel pressured or manipulated into doing anything more. We need to know our limits and then live within them.

You wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed if you weren’t trying to do so much. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28 NLT).

Sometimes we do have much we need to accomplish, and we need to learn to rely upon the Lord to help us get there. I remember such a time when I would pray daily for the 25^th hour. We live within the natural limit of 24 hours, but we serve a God who is not limited by the natural. Don’t complain about the thing you have not prayed for.

Apart from prayer, you’re the limit of what’s possible for you. “Joshua prayed to the Lord… ‘Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies” (Joshua 10:12-13 NLT).

We must learn the principle of planning and staging all that lies before us. To finish a list, you must first make a list. To reach the end of the list, start at the top. You will accomplish more doing one thing at a time than tripping over yourself doing too many at once.

You would have more time if you didn’t waste so much time. “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV).

One of the worst things we do to ourselves is to not ask for help when it is needed. Sometimes people may tell you no, but you will never get a yes unless you’re willing to ask them. Don’t steal the blessing of someone who would love to help you.

Never be surprised to not get the help you never asked for. “…ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2 KJV).

Consider crossing off half the things on your list. Then take that half of a list and either throw it away or give it to the Lord to hold until some time later. It’s easier to climb a mountain that is not as tall. Consider what things you stress about that don’t even really matter.

If you lighten your load, the journey will be easier. “…godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:6-7 NKJV).

You would not stress so much over a thing if you had truly given it to the Lord. He is willing to help you but are you willing to go to Him. We think He is a hard-handed taskmaster asking us to do so much, but it is us who creates the overwhelming list, and it is Him who is telling us to put it down.

It’s hard to be frustrated about things you’ve given to the Lord. “Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 TPT).

You would accomplish more with praying than by striving. Ask God to tell you the one or two things He would have you do today, and don’t be surprised if He tells you that you should do nothing. Consider He made the Sabbath day of rest a requirement because He knew we wouldn’t do it willingly.

The Sabbath teaches you to rest in Him. It changes the focus from inward to upward. “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am Yahweh [the LORD]” (Leviticus 19:30 NKJV).

Blessings to you,

Paul Balius