I had it perfectly scheduled in my mind-- that all the feelings of being overwhelmed would disappear with the onset of summer break. Summer would be when I'd catch up, reorganize, and get my act together. But as days and weeks filled up with an issue here, a concern there, paperwork today, appointments tomorrow, laundry, bills, messes, and maintenance...I began to wonder, Am I ever going to NOT feel overwhelmed?

Perhaps one of the greatest hindrances to our contentment is the expectation that life ought to be easy.

We wait for circumstances to let up, money to free up, and children to wise up, and schedules to clear out. We think of catching our breath in terms of WHEN, instead of WHO.

This is what the Psalmist says...

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away...

Teach us to number our days,

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

(Psalm 90:10, 12, 14-17)

How does the Psalmist respond to the reality that life is filled with trouble, with difficulty, with overwhelming circumstances? He is not looking to WHEN to have joy in the circumstances, but WHO to go to in the midst of them.

He asks the Lord for wisdom, for satisfaction, for gladness of heart, and for the ability to see His splendor. He knows God to be trustworthy, unfailing in love, and just in all his ways. He does not wait for the troubles to cease before choosing to rely on the Lord. He humbles himself in acknowledgment of a wise, good, and mighty God.

Today, if you are waiting on circumstances...for school to start back up, for a dream vacation, or for your children to hit a certain age in hopes of not feeling overwhelmed by life, take encouragement from the Psalmist to not wait...rest in the Lord, NOW. Take heart, friends: In the same way that we might find that life is not supposed to be easy, but replete with trouble, we can also know undoubtedly, that our loving Father is our relief, our joy, our hope for the overwhelmed heart.

Because of Grace,

Ruth www.gracelaced.com