Step out of Stress into Serenity

“Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.”
Exodus 18:19-20 (ESV)

Do you feel overwhelmed, overworked, and overcommitted? Whether you are a Fortune 500 CEO or a stay-at-home parent; whether you are the President of the United States or President of the PTA, we all experience symptoms of burnout from time to time.

Yesterday, we learned from the life of Moses that the first step to managing feelings of overwhelm is to honestly evaluate what you are doing.

Here is the second step:

Happily Appreciate All That God Will Do

We’ve come to the root of Moses’ problem: He had spent too much time talking to the people about God and not enough time talking to God about the people.

When evaluating your day-to-day priorities, you have three options: Either somebody else is going to do it in their own power, you are going to do it in your own power, or you can ask God to help you do it in His power.

God will give you all the time and energy to do what He wants you to do. Your job is to make sure you are coming to Him, and partnering with Him through gratitude and openness. Talk with God about your responsibilities and priorities. Welcome the Holy Spirit into the center of your heart and schedule. Then you can be confident that you are prioritizing the things God wants for you.

Jethro’s challenge to Moses is a challenge to us all. Why do we want to control things and do it all ourselves? It’s often because of unbelief. We do not believe that God has prepared other people with the gifts necessary to help carry the burden. How would your life look different if you began to believe that God had prepared the people in your life to help carry the load?

This week, joyfully embrace what God has called you to do, with appreciation and expectation for all that He will do. You’ll walk in peace instead of pressure, and step out of stress into serenity.

Prayer: Father, Thank You for the good plans You have for me and those around me. Give me the wisdom, patience, and diligence to practice the gifts and talents You’ve given me. Help me offer all that I am and all that I do in loving service to You and to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.