I struggle with this one a lot. Maybe it’s my stubborn independence or my tendency to think I can handle everything on my own. But that always ends up failing me. Life gets overwhelming, the stress becomes unbearable, and before I know it, anxiety creeps in, bringing physical symptoms along with it.
Life today is just so busy. Being a parent, a spouse, working full-time, trying to stay healthy, spending daily time with God, building a business, and working on a ministry — it all piles up. And then there’s the constant connection to screens: cell phones, social media, and everything else competing for our attention.
Before long, I start to feel it. I get restless and on edge. Little things that wouldn’t normally bother me start to irritate me. Then the physical symptoms start: my sleep is affected, my energy drops, and I get digestive issues. And when my eye starts twitching, I know I’ve hit my limit. That’s when I realize it’s time to do something, fast.
God’s Gentle Reminder
For me, relief often comes during my 40-minute commute to work. I drive over one of the longest bridges in the world, here in New Orleans. When I’m overwhelmed, I turn off the noise — no radio, no podcasts, just silence. It’s just me, my thoughts, and God.
As I drive, I start talking to Him, pouring out my frustrations, fears, and stress. And every time, without fail, I hear that still, small voice: “Give it to Me.”
That’s when I picture the box. I read this idea somewhere, and it stuck with me. When I’m overwhelmed, I imagine putting all my worries, stresses, and fears into a box. Then, in my mind, I hand that box to Jesus.
But it doesn’t stop there. I physically act it out. I lift my hands, as if holding that imaginary box, and say, “God, take this. I can’t carry it anymore.” And in that moment of surrender, everything changes.
The Armor of God
After giving my worries to God, I take another step: I put on the armor of God. A good friend once encouraged me to do this, and now it’s a habit I cherish. From Ephesians 6:10-18, I visualize putting on each piece:
- The belt of truth to remind me of God’s promises.
- The breastplate of righteousness to guard my heart.
- The shoes of peace to keep me steady and grounded.
- The shield of faith to protect me from fear and doubt.
- The helmet of salvation to focus my thoughts on Christ.
- The sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, my weapon against anxiety.
As I go through this process, my stress melts away. My body feels at peace, my spirit is renewed, and my energy returns.
Worship Through Surrender
Often, after giving my worries to God, I’ll have a good cry and spend time worshiping. One of my favorite worship songs during these moments is “I Surrender” by Hillsong. The lyrics resonate deeply with me:
“Here I am, down on my knees again,
Surrendering all, surrendering all.”
I’ll sing along, letting the words become my prayer. It’s a reminder that surrendering to God is the most freeing thing we can do. If you’ve never heard it, I highly recommend listening to it:
A Heartfelt Reminder
Every time I go through this process, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness. He’s always there, ready to take my burdens. And yet, so often, I try to carry them on my own until I’m at my breaking point.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, I encourage you to try this: picture your worries in a box. Hand it to Jesus. Then, arm yourself with the truth of His Word. Let Him take over. He’s more than able to carry what you cannot.
Today’s Prayer
God, I’m here again, holding onto things I should’ve given to You a long time ago. I’m sorry for trying to handle it all on my own. I can’t do this without You. Right now, I’m handing it all over — the stress, the fear, the things I can’t control. I’m giving it all to You, Lord.
Please take it and fill me with Your peace. Help me to trust You more, to lean on You first, not just when I’m overwhelmed. Thank You for always being there, waiting patiently for me to let go and let You step in. You’re so good to me, even when I forget to rely on You. I love You, Lord, and I surrender it all to You. Amen.
