The Swarm

 

The last week has been a blur. However, that's not really too uncommon, right? The good thing is that there haven't been any extra catastrophes or quick runs to the ER! It's just been life - caregiving life and it's eaten my lunch...

Has it ever felt like life is a swarm of bees? For me, sometimes, it's my thoughts. I know I'm an overthinker, and my friend Mary used to say my mind was like Google. Just one word and hundreds of tabs open, ready to go in any direction. Lol. My thoughts can be like a swarm of bees that come faster than I can defend. Sometimes, it feels like the responsibilities of being a caregiver do the same thing. And, of course, there are times when it's all dive-bombing my mind and emotions. Can anyone say #overwhelm?

It's not like caregiving is easy to navigate anyway, without feeling like there are thousands of bees (thoughts, tasks, calls, visits, chores, work projects) sitting just out of view. We can't see them, but we hear them buzzing, and we can feel them getting ready to crash in around us. Sigh.

This is where having a foundation in the Word comes in handy. Unfortunately, it doesn't make everything that hurts, confuses, or disgusts us magically go away. But His Word does give us something to stand on. What are my go-to verses? 

I usually start in Psalm 46:1, and I remind myself that God is present. He doesn't get scared of all the crazy thoughts in my mind or pressures in my life. He remains present. He doesn't even require that I acknowledge Him - He's just in my right here waiting for me to lean on Him.

This morning, my second stop was 2 Peter 1:3. I said it out loud two or three times already. He has given me everything I need for life (the natural) and godliness (the spiritual). I can trust that He has equipped me to face today through His grace (which is always enough 2 Corinthians 12:9) and His mercies (which were refreshed and renewed just for me this morning Lamentations 3:23).

It's so easy to get up to our elbows in stuff, thoughts, tasks, etc - before we remember to stop. Take a breath. Activate our "trust buttons" and wait on Him. Let this be your reminder to stop, breathe, and wait today. The swarm can wait for you to catch your breath!

Today, I'll remind myself that my crazy isn't too much for God to handle. It's not enough to make Him throw up His hands and walk away. In fact, when He knows we are overwhelmed, He moves closer, hoping we will quiet our souls enough to feel His breath. I will think about how He has given us His peace, and He never took it back. My focus will be on how to rest in Him even when I feel swarmed by life. I will take a deep breath and trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Command Your Mornings is a 31-day devotional that walks through scriptures that talk about taking charge of your day, your heart, your trust, your head in the morning. The surprising thing is that when we take charge of our hearts in the morning and declare we will follow Him – the rest of the day follows suit.You can get the print and kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.