Life can feel overwhelming when we’re responsible for paying our bills, keeping ourselves fed, clothed, and healthy (and others if we have a family), juggling our expenses, keeping track of assignment deadlines, revising for exams, plus the reality of planning for the future. Where can we turn when life feels too much?

As he was surrounded by enemies, David turned to God: ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation…I shall not be moved’ (v.5-6 KJV). Where does your ‘expectation’ lie? In the hope that things will just get easier ‘one day’? In a change to the culture or the world’s economy? David’s hope was more certain: he expected the answer to be found in God’s faithfulness and unchanging character.

When anxiety arises, we sometimes resort to our BGWI list – ’But God, what if?’ We focus on our fears, feel inadequate, and give in to despair. Being aware of our needs is being responsible but being overwhelmed by them can mean that we’re looking to the wrong source for answers. George MacDonald said, ‘We look upon God as our last and feeblest resource. We only go to Him when we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.’

Remember David? ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.’ By Himself, plus nothing, God is your adequate source. Since He gave us His Son, you have all the evidence you need that He will also ‘freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32 GNT).

What Now?

Make a list of all the responsibilities you have. Go through each item on the list and ask for God’s involvement – ask Him to give you wisdom and peace about every responsibility.