A few nights ago, I started feeling very overwhelmed by everything. I could have just tried to ignore it and move on, but I chose to talk to God about it instead. Through my tears and difficulty to speak, I told Him about everything that was overwhelming me, and I knew that He understood completely. After a couple minutes of venting to God, I asked Him to talk to me or give me some sort of sign of reassurance. After I asked, the beginning of Psalm 46:10 entered my mind: Be still, and know that I am God. I decided to meditate on this for a few minutes. Then, instead of just thinking Be still and know that I am God, I started thinking Be still and know that I am the God of peace, I am the God of mercy, I am the God of love, I am the God of kindness, I am the God of understanding, I am the God of forgiveness, and many more of those statements began to flood my mind. As those thoughts were running through my head, I felt His peace because I knew that even though I felt overwhelmed, God was still God, God was still good, and God still had everything under control.

I know that I am not the only one who gets overwhelmed at times and that there are many others who struggle with anxiety and stress as well. Although it can be tempting for us to give into our emotions and thoughts, we can give our worries to God and leave them with Him instead, just as the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7. I know that sometimes we need someone to talk to, but do not want to burden them with our troubles, so we choose to keep it in. However, God is always there waiting for us to talk to Him. Our troubles are no burden for God. He actually wants us to tell Him everything that is on our mind. He is the one person who we can fully trust and run to in both the good and bad times because He is our Good Father.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for comforting me and reassuring me in my troubles. Thank you for always listening to what I have to say and for understanding me. Lord, when challenges come my way, please help me to feel your presence and fill me with Your peace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

1.    Psalm 46:10 (NLT).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Gianna B.