Been there?

Overwhelmed? Overcommitted? Got too much on your plate all of a sudden? Struggle with saying no and trying to please everyone? I totally did it to myself and I'm trying to do it in my own strength....again.

My accountability partner gave me some wise advice today... wait for it ... "You put too much pressure on yourself. Just chill and give yourself some grace." Profound, isnt it? My first thought was ... I can't... I have to get this... and this done... And, then the stress and anxiety start to take over.

Once again (thank you God for your grace), I have to stop, recognize my feelings and then CHOOSE to live by what I know. I KNOW those feelings and situations are not from God. He is not a God of disorder, but of peace (1 Cor 14:33). It is deception and it's trying to pull me down. It's something I created without God and I need to stop, be still and give it back to Him. Otherwise, I will fail because I am in my own strength.

So God, here goes ...

"I give you my dirty ... oh, so dirty house... even though people are coming over tonight!"

"I give you my children who are driving me bonkers at the moment.. mainly because my stress has distracted me from them and they are acting out."

"I give you this blog and the deadline I place on myself ... It is your blog anyway. Use if for your glory and not mine."

"I give you my time.. .May I focus more on being in your presence than filling up my calendar and striving to live up to it's demands."

Bottom Line: I give you my feelings of inadequacy and CHOOSE to find my Identity IN Christ and not myself.

I am ALIVE with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and FREE from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)

I have the MIND OF CHRIST and hold the THOUGHTS of his heart (1 Cor 2:16)

I have the PEACE OF GOD that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7)

I am more then a CONQUEROR thorugh Him who loves me (Romans 8:37)

I am the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21)

I am the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Cor 6:19)

It is not I who live, but CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME (Gal 2:20)

It's now the end of the day... and as I look back ... all my worries from 10 hours ago are gone ... completely. My house is pretty clean, my kids are good, my blog is complete and I simplified my day. Most importantly... I have been at peace all day since I gave it all back to Him and stopped trying to do in my own strength. Wow, may I always remember this moment!