What a friend....

Lately things have been quite overwhelming and for the first time in my life I feel stressed. That may sound funny but for me, my outlook determines how I interpret the way I feel. Usually, I feel overwhelmed and not stressed. The main difference I've noticed between the two is that stress actually has physical and mental effects - being tired, sore, aching muscles, feeling depressed, not wanting to get out of bed. I can say I've honestly never felt this way in my entire life. The best way to describe it is like I'm in a pit and I can't get out nor do I have the will to. It's the scariest feeling I've ever. I could actually feel myself sinking farther into this pit. Thankfully, God allowed me to take a step back and realize how I felt; to see how destructive this pattern could become.

Most of my stress is self-induced. Just me taking on too much (in my mind). I love the quiet, it is there that I feel closest to God. When I'm still I can hear Him. But apparenty I've allowed myself to take on way to much and my thoughts have consumed me. There's the upcoming election, reading Revelation - wanting to soak up as much information about the end times as possible, and a few other things. God has been showing me that I am not allowing Him to bear my burdens for me. I ask for help and direction and then I keep the burden on my back instead of leaving it with Him, as if I can do a better job of finding the answers. Isn't that the way it always is?? :) I am finding healing through praise and prayer. I am still very weary and I still have a lot to learn. God has given me a song that has brought me comfort and I wanted to share it with you:

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, every thing to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, every thing to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in Prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrow share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.

I can't help but wonder what caused Joesph Scriven, the writer of this great hymn, to pen these wonderful words?

I looked up a few words - to gain a new perspective and this is what I found:

Cumbered - to weigh down; burden; to hamper or hinder; to litter or clutter up; a hinderance
Refuge - shelter or protection from danger
Solace - to alleviate or comfort

Father God, I've allowed all the things in life to clutter up my mind and to be a hinderance to me; to weigh me down. Lord, forgive me. I need your arms to shelter and protect me from the burdens I've borne. Please, Father, bring me comfort and alleviate my stress. Thank You Father for the privilege to carry my burdens to you. Thank You for always listening and carring for me so much. I can pray the exact same thing every day and You never grow tired of it. Please give me strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow, Great is Thy faithfullness, Lord unto me!!!