Hey friends,
How’s your summer going? Fun fact – did you know it’s winter in my home country of South Africa?!
Over here, I’ve been BUSY. This summer has been go go go – working, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family. Sometimes I love the feeling of being busy – I feel productive and enjoy being challenged, growing and working towards goals. But being busy can also be overwhelming, and leave you prioritizing all the wrong things.
Sometimes I feel like I can easily get caught up in it all – balancing life, work, dogs, relationships, and all of the different things life throws my way. Delayed flights, dog slobber, summer allergies… the list goes on and on.
I thought to myself after talking to several friends about this “busy” phenomenon, that it’s something we all struggle with from time to time and maybe if I share some of my go-to ways to hit the reset button and clear my mind, it can help you too! Whether you’re going through a hard season, or drowning in a busy season, I hope you can find some peace along with me.
“Where do I even start?” you may ask. For me, the best way to start is to make time amidst the busy schedule to read and reflect on Scripture. The Bible is like a roadmap with the wisdom I need to set my priorities straight, the encouragement I need to keep moving forward, and the discernment I need to make the right decisions, all in one place.
Here are 5 verses that I like to go back to when those busy seasons set in:
- Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When life feels a bit crazy or there are circumstances happening out of your control – God promises to give you a supernatural peace that we can’t even understand. In times of stress, I stop and pray this verse – that He would guard my heart and mind in Him. It always helps give me perspective and tap into that amazing PEACE He offers to us no matter what season of life we’re in.
- Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This verse gives me a lot of comfort. No matter what life throws your way, no matter how many times you’ve let yourself down, no matter how busy you’ve let yourself become, or how unfaithful you feel – He reminds us here that there is NOT ONE THING that can separate us from His love. His love is not based on our performance. He remains faithful even though we’ve let life distract us from the right priorities.
- Psalm 139:13-14
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.”
You are made with perfect intention; every inch of you was intentionally knit together by God. His creation is wonderful, so you are too. In a world that constantly sends us the message that if we aren’t beautiful, we aren’t lovable, and a world full of filters on reality, God reminds us here that our worth lies in who GOD says we are. He says that we are valuable, loved, and wonderfully made.
- 1 Peter 1:3-8
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,…”
Scripture never promises we won’t go through hard things, actually it promises that we WILL. But, it’s where we run to in these trials that matters. When we run to Jesus during these times, we are promised that He will go with us, He will bring us through it, and our love and understanding of Him will grow deeper. He promises that as He goes with us through it, He will give us joy and peace because He is enough. God never wastes a hurt, and He will redeem the pain no matter what the circumstance.
- Psalm 46 (Yes, the whole chapter!)
“God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”
When I’m in a crazy season of life or feeling overwhelmed with life demands, reading through Psalm 46 always helps. Psalm 46:5 in particular is one of my favorite verses to read. No matter what you’re going through or how many demands are on your plate – God reminds us here that He is our refuge when we need peace. He is our refuge when we need strength. Need more rest? He’s the source of true rest (not the Netflix in your PJs kind). Although we may be walking through hard or busy things, He goes along with us, He gives us the strength to get through it and that supernatural peace amidst it all. Making time with Him may seem like one more thing to add to your list, but it’s when we carve time out for Him that somehow the demands and burdens seem lighter. Encouraging you all today and everyday to be reminded of God’s Truths and remember these verses when you need them!
I hope that these 5 verses can provide you with the energy and reassurance you need to keep going even when you feel burned out. We all go through busy seasons, but it’s how we handle it that makes all the difference. You’ve got this, friend!
