“Joan,” said her boss as he poked his head in her office, “I need that data before you leave today.” Brrring! Brrring! trilled her phone. Answering it she heard, “Can you give me that contact info now?” asked Cindy. “Here’s another request,” announced Joe as he slid the paper onto Joan’s desk. As Joan drove home, she thought, “I’m so overloaded! I just want a nice, quiet, restful evening tonight.”
But as Joan walked in the door, “Woof! Woof!” greeted Buster as he nearly knocked her down. Besides the sound of the dog, Joan’s senses were bombarded by blaring music, the TV and the smell of burnt food. Then the children chimed in as they realized she was home. “Mom,” yelled Jimmy, “I need a ride to practice! Oh, and I made my own dinner!”
“Mom,” hollered Jenny, “I need stuff for my project due tomorrow!” With tears streaming down her face, little Sally ran to Joan and hugged her legs, “Mommy,” she whimpered, “Jimmy hid my blanket.” Covering her face with her hands, Joan silently screamed, “Awww! I just want to rest!”
Have you ever felt overloaded?
You are not alone. We probably all have had those days where we long for just a few, little minutes of peace and quiet.
Well, guess what? It seems that even Jesus had one of those days.
In Matthew 14:10-23, we read that John the Baptist had been beheaded. Jesus was probably grieving when he departed to a deserted place by himself, (verse 13). But the time of rest He needed was not to be. He was not to be alone for long.
A throng of 5,000 people followed Him. Can you imagine all their requests? “Help me!” “Heal me!” “I need this….” And think about the noise 5,000 people would make! Jesus had to be weary. But His compassion for the multitude was so great that He took the time to heal, teach and feed them.
After a day like that what did Jesus do?
He found a quiet place to be alone and pray. He had faith that God would give Him the rest and peace He needed.
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there, Matthew 14:23.
So, on those days when we feel overloaded and are just barely hanging on, what can we do?
Besides quitting our jobs or yelling at our family, which would only make things worse, we can follow Jesus’ example. In faith, we find a quiet place, believing that God will give us the rest and peace we need.
Once in our quiet place, we take a few deep breaths and exhale to help us relax.
Then we can refocus our mind on God and His word.
Don’t forget to be prepared!
We never know when we will feel overloaded. We could be at work, at home or just out and about. Be prepared for those moments by keeping a few key verses handy to refer to. We can stick them in our car, our desk or on our phone.
Here are a couple that help me:
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk. Psalm 142:3a
God understands. He knows the path we are walking and He knows the way we should go. Even if we are on the wrong path, when we ask, He will show us the right path and guide us through it all.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Matthew 11:28
God does not want us to walk around carrying so much stuff that we we are overloaded. When we go to God and give Him our burdens, He will give us the rest we need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13
No matter what we are facing, we are not alone. When we lean on Jesus, He will give us the strength to face it all.
Do you have a quiet place to rest?
I will let you in on my little secret. When you can’t find a quiet place to be alone and pray, I have a place that can be found most anywhere you go and is always available- the restroom.
Why do you think they are called “rest” rooms?
So, on those hectic days when we feel overloaded, what can we do? Give it to Jesus. Through Him we can do it all.
REFLECTION
Do you have those days when you feel overloaded? Is there a verse you can keep handy to help you cope?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Matthew 11:28, and say it aloud, help me to place my burdens in Your hands in faith. Remind me of Your loving arms that hold me up when I call on You. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH LEAVE YOUR BURDENS IN JESUS HANDS
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May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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Photo dog, Carri Anderson, pixabay
Photo straw load, Ray Harrington, unsplash
Photo outhouse, Tanner Marquis, unsplash