It is a new year, and things have started off with a bang, hasn’t it? I must admit in my house the overwhelm levels have been very high. I felt completely overwhelmed by what life was throwing at me from all directions, not knowing how to cope at all! Dealing with an ill child, and a child who suddenly cannot eat any diary or gluten (so this means preparing extra meals for him), the nanny that unexpectedly did not return after the holidays due to personal reasons, getting my 3 year old twins ready in the morning, starting back at work with lots of projects and new work coming in (which is a good thing), the dog needing surgery suddenly, and I can go on. And my week may actually sound like a walk in the park to you, as you may be dealing with much bigger issues!
You may be dealing with financial problems, having to juggle debt, and trying frantically to make more money in your business just to stay afloat.
You may be dealing with huge health issues, or relationship issues, having lost a loved one, dealing with trauma from abuse or mental issues/illness taking up your mind and your day.
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
Isa 55: 1-3 (NIV)
What I realized is that the devil’s easiest weapon used against us believers is distraction. If he can keep me busy with all the things life throws at me, I won’t have time to spend in the presence of the Living God. Then my battle is lost. Because it is when I spend time reading God’s Word, surrendering to Him, praying, repenting, thanking Him for all my blessings, and in Praise and Worship that God is able to show me His path for my Life and the solutions to my perceived problems.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Isa 55: 6-12 (NIV)
When I surrender my day completely to Him, He is able to do great miracles in a moment. Surrender all those things that are overwhelming you to God completely today.
The Lord showed me Psalm 147. Please go and read the whole chapter. There are so much hidden goodness in those verses, once you start to look deeper. We should be humble before the Lord, Praise Him, fear Him and He will supply us with everything we need. He is not impressed with our own efforts, but takes pleasure in those who honor him, and trust in His love for us.
5 Great and mighty is our Lord;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
6 He raises the humble,
but crushes the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing hymns of praise to the LORD;
play music on the harp to our God.
8 He spreads clouds over the sky;
he provides rain for the earth
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives animals their food
and feeds the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in strong horses,
nor his delight in brave soldiers;
11 but he takes pleasure in those who honor him,
in those who trust in his constant love.
Psalm 147:5-11 (Good News)
The Lord says: “Spend your time first thing everyday in My presence and I will give you the weapons of the age to come.” He revealed to me these weapons are LOVE | PEACE | JOY | HOPE.
I can also testify that once I gave my day completely to the Lord yesterday morning, that feeling of overwhelm left me completely, and I was able to do everything needed even though I spent more than an Hour before God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:7
If you need a bit of guidance to getting into the presence of God, I can recommend the following book by Warren Horak: The Divine Encounter
Read more about it here: https://fatherslove.co.za/how-to-pray-effectively-and-experience-god/
UPDATE on 26 January: Since writing this piece, I have actually completed a project at work, which in 2 weeks brought in the same amount of revenue that in the past equated to almost half of my yearly revenue. Yes, once I gave my day and my plans completely to the Lord, despite of what life (and the enemy) was throwing at me, the Lord was able to multiply my efforts to where I sure could not take it on my own. I want to urge you to look to the Lord, the one who created Heaven and Earth, for all solutions to your problems, you will be blown away by where He will take you.
Words by: Mariana Engelbrecht
Please share the hope, and if you also have a story of hope to send us, you can do that to: mystory@diaryofhope.org