Please tell me that I’m not alone in this—many times throughout the day, I feel a “heaviness” in my stomach. It could be one of those beautiful, warm spring days like we’ve had here lately. I’ll be basking in the sunshine one moment and then feel that proverbial dark cloud around me in the next.
I don’t know what it is for you, but for me, it’s a looming remembrance of challenging times that my family is walking through. No matter what, it’s always there. That heavy feeling for me is the burden of walking through the tough stuff with them. We are wading in the mire and it is not easy.
What do you do in those moments to prevent a downward spiral?
PRAY. I know it sounds cliche and oversimplified, but it is the fool-proof way to respond so that you can be okay.
When those times come, that ache is like a gentle reminder to surrender my family and our journey to the Lord. Sometimes I don’t even have words—it’s more of a “Yes Lord, you know” mumble. I don’t think it’s the words that matter. Rather, it’s the act of surrendering. It is acknowledging that the burden you are facing is too heavy, and you need to hand it over to the one who can carry it—Jesus.
Lately, when that heaviness comes, I have been stopping (even if it is for just a few seconds) to pray and surrender it to God. And guess what? It has made a HUGE difference.
I feel lighter.
I feel more hopeful.
I feel less alone.
That experience affirms what the Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Instead of worrying about my family, when I choose to pray and tell God what I need, the peace comes. Try the practice of stopping to pray and surrender when those dark moments come and see what happens!
Cari Kates
Director of Digital Content, Star 99.1
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Thank you for that word today. It was what I needed to hear. I struggle with those moments of heaviness that creep in throughout the day. I will be more mindful to pray to God at that moment and looking for more peaceful moments in the day.
Hey, we’re in it together. Some days are better than others, but I’ve found stopping to pray and surrender is game changing!
Psalm 23 – is my all day breath PRAYER!!
It’s PRICELESS!!!
Oh that’s a good one, Bernie!
This article was so helpful. It really ministered to me. Thank You.
Maria, I’m so glad! Thank you for saying that.
Thank you Cari. You are not alone. Wise thoughts and words from the Bible. I get so caught up in my worries, and my doubts sometimes, but when I leave it up to Jesus and pray I feel my burden lightened, knowing my prayers are in God’s hands. He knows are needs before we even pray them.
Hope you have a wonderful, blessed day!
Thank you, Marilyn…we’re so human to KNOW what to do, but so quickly forget when trials come.
Thank you Kari… It is nice to know I am not alone with these feelings. Sometimes I pray in the morning and then by afternoon all in a dither ….again … I talk to God constantly and it is good to know he is there… I just have to be reminded too.
Blessings to you too.
I’m with you Lorelei! Starting out strong and then getting caught up in the day and all it brings.
I needed this reminder, sitting here having lunch, the heaviness came, I picked up my phone and there is your blog.
I said a prayer right away. We serve an awesome God
Oh Faye that’s so encouraging! And so like God…to give us what we need in the moment we need it. Thank you.