What did I do wrong? How can I fix this? If only I’d done it this way instead. Have you ever noticed how thoughts start small, then grow and grow until they totally consume you? Then, it seems nearly impossible to turn them off. They play on repeat in your mind, even when you try to find rest.

What It Means to Rest in God

Nothing zaps my strength like carrying around a burden that was never meant for me. I can begin my day with an inspiring devotion, Scripture reading, and prayer, and still catch myself agonizing over life’s messes a few minutes later. It’s in those moments I need to reaffirm my belief that God is in control of my situation. I do this by asking myself the following questions.

Do I believe God holds me in the palm of His hand?

“He made my words like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow. He took good care of me and kept me safe.” (Isaiah 49:2)

Do I believe God has good intentions for me and my family?

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do I believe God can do a better job of handling this problem than I can?

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Resting in God means trusting in Him. And as we trade thoughts of turmoil with affirmations from God’s word, we will feel joy return and find the rest God gives to those He loves.

Are you feeling your strength zapped? Could it be that you’re carrying around a burden God didn’t intend for you to carry? There is hope today. Spend a few minutes with the verses above and find renewed rest through your dependence on God.

Let’s pray this prayer together as we rediscover rest by depending on God:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe you hold me in the palm of your hand. You are my protector, so I have no need to fear or worry about what this day will bring.

I believe you have good intentions for me and my family. You have always been faithful. Help me remember those times when I couldn’t see a way out, but you provided exactly what I needed. Thank you for your goodness, Lord.

I believe you can do a much better job of handling this problem than I can. I release it to you today, and when I’m tempted to start worrying again, I will renew my trust in you by reading promises from your Word.

Thank you for being my strength, my portion, and my source of peace. Thank you for rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more of God’s promises to guide you in prayer as you trust Him more, join the community here at my online home and get a free digital download, 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart. Enter your email below if you haven’t already subscribed, and I’ll send it to you.

This post is a portion of Kristine’s article, “How to Enjoy Your Dependence on God,” originally published on iBelieve.com.

Thanks for joining the conversation about BATTLES last month. I feel confident we are walking into October better equipped and prepared for any battle that comes our way.

But recently, something else has been weighing heavily on my heart.

We know many battles happen in our minds. And lately my mind has been overrun with the chaos happening in the world. So many issues, all affecting different people in different ways.

Maybe because of all the mental trauma our kids are enduring these days with virtual school, or maybe because of the rise in anxiety, depression, and panic.

Maybe I’m fed up because many young adults I know are dealing with more stress than they should ever have to at their age. Or hearing about our precious senior citizens battling loneliness because they’ve gone so long without visitors in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Whatever the reason for the heaviness in my spirit, I know one thing is certain. We all have this in common…

The chaos in our minds can affect our behavior, our emotions, and our physical health.

So this month, we are going to get super-focused on our Heavenly Father and allow Him to speak peace to our overwhelmed minds. Beginning with an important prayer for those who God equipped with special gifts to help in such a time as this.

Mental health professionals need our prayers.

God created them for a purpose. He equipped them with gifts to help those who are struggling. They are able to help in ways most of us cannot understand, so I want to ask us to join in praying for them today.

God hears our prayers on their behalf.

So let’s pray for the counselors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals with this prayer of faith.

If you or someone you love works in the mental health field, please know that we're praying for you this week. <3

And if you've felt the battle raging in your mind in recent days, you are not alone. As we move into the month of October, we will look at more Scripture and prayers that will help calm the chaos and bring peace. Watch for a new email each Monday.

Blessings,

Kristine