Have you ever had one of those days (or seasons) where you just are stressed out? Overwhelmed? Fearful? Anxious? Unfortunately I’ve had many seasons like that. The other day I was feeling these exact things. Nothing huge was happening, just all of these little things were piling one on top of one another. I felt like Peter sinking in the sea. You know the story- he is on the boat with his friends, and sees Jesus walking on water (say what!?) towards him. He gets so excited to see Jesus, he steps out of the boat and begins to walk on water (for real?) towards Him. Then all of a sudden he realizes where he is—on the water—and starts to sink and drown, overcome with fear and doubt.

I have days where I’m looking at Jesus and am full of hope and confidence. No matter what, I know we’ll be okay because He’s our mighty God and is with us. And then all of a sudden, I’ll take my eyes off Jesus and the worries of this world take me down. Fears of the unknown. Our future. Our needs. Stress of doing something I’m not good at doing, of something I’ve never done before. Overwhelmed with trials in my life.

Oh man. How easily I can sink when I take my eyes off of Jesus and put them on the circumstances around me. When I try to be in control. When I try to do things my way—which really is just by worry and stress.

I can even process this all out in the morning, journal, and remind myself of who God is, and then go right back into my day, worried.

God promises us that He is with us. He is God of peace. He is peace. He gives peace. All the time.

But we have to look to Him. We have to look to the source. To trust. To believe. To think on Him. Trust takes activity. It takes effort. We can’t just believe it and go on without Him. We have to preach to ourselves. Not listen to ourselves—that never works. We have to tell ourselves the truth—all throughout the day.

And the truth is that God is in control. He is mighty. He is able. He knows us intimately. He knows our every need. He will provide for His children- period. He is wise and good. Often He puts us in a place where we have to rely on Him, look to Him, and not ourselves. Praise Jesus! I’m so thankful that He puts me in situations where I have to rely on Him, and not myself—because that draws me close to my Jesus. And wouldn’t I much rather be intimate with my Savior than sinking in the ocean trying to save myself? (or figure things out myself, trust in myself…it never works.)

Beloved, God is with us- in the calm, and the storm. He reaches out. He is here to Help. To be our Savior, our Provider, our God. If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, I pray that the Lord of Peace will give you peace today and always. He is with you. Keep looking to Him.

“Now may the LORD of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The LORD be with you all.”|| 2 Thessalonians 3:16