Hi Friends!
I am slowly, but surely, working on a Tightly Wound Woman devotional. Day #1 is below. I would love to hear your feedback and comments as I design this for you!:)
Day #1: The Heavy Weight
Do your shoulders ache?
Do you feel weighed down by pressure to do more and be more?
Are you weary from carrying all that you feel responsible for?
Me too.
Over a conversation with a woman named Jan I realized that I had a serious weight issue. No, it was not the kind that you face by adjusting food intake or incorporating exercise but the kind that presses down hard on your shoulders and prevents you from living as freely as you could.
From a young age Jan carried the weight of being responsible for things that were not her burden to carry. She, now in her fifties, was currently facing health problems and believed that part of the reason was all those years of taking on things in the name of “responsibility” that were not hers to begin with; they had taken a toll on her body.
As Jan shared her struggles she shed light on mine too. In my ultra-responsible mindset, I had taken on things that were outside the territory that God had given me.
It can be a good thing to be reliable and there are many things that we are responsible for, but we were not made to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Jesus died on the cross with the heaviness of sin upon Himself. God allowed that to happen so that we could be set free from the sin that holds us down.
May we follow Jesus, the Head above our shoulders; the One able to carry us (and the whole universe too).
Unraveling Grace:
“They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity. ‘Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’” (Isaiah 46:2-4).Stop: Communicate a spiritual posture of trust in the Lord by relaxing your shoulders and opening your clenched fists. Take a moment to breathe deep. Breathe in His grace and breathe out His praise and ask God to help you trust His leadership and sufficiency.Look: Read Psalm 146. Consider memorizing one of the verses the was particularly meaningful to you.Listen: Focus, Track 6 from the Echoes of My Heart album (available on Amazon)
Dear God, You know that I want others to see me as capable and dependable, but I am tired. I am weary from carrying burdens and I need help. Thank You that You are able, more than able, to do anything. Please help me to lean on You more. Teach me how to rest in Your sufficiency and trust Your ability to rule the universe. Thank you that You care about all these cares I have and You ask that I cast them upon Your capable shoulders. Help me to live free and confident in Your Sovereignty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
He cares about every care we carry and is ready to lift the load as we lay it down.I’m linking up with Kelly for the #RaRaLinkup and Holly for Testimony Tuesday.
Also linking up with my Wednesday gals…
Meredith for Woman2Woman, Kristin for Three Word Wednesday,
Holley for Coffee for Your Heart and Jennifer for #TellHisStory.
I love the format you chose for your new daily devotional. Especially the prompt at the end to “stop, look, listen.” This is really great, Katie! The theme you write on resonates with me too. I grew up in a setting where I was discouraged from setting my own boundaries. I see the negative effects of which carrying over into my adult life. I’m encouraged by your post today. Thank you for these words of wisdom.
Thank you for the feedback Tina. I am not “leaking” other devotional material at this time, but wanted to put this one out here and see how it resonates.:) I will continue to work on the devotional series and hope to get it published in the future. Asking God to help us both #unwind as He teaches us a better way.:)
I constantly struggle with this. The hardest part for me to realize is that I’m the decision maker, and I’m the one with the power to let go of those heavy responsibilities I try to carry. It is a yo-yo battle for me. I will let something go, only to pick up something else! Your scriptures are an encouragement today. Thank you!
Me too Kristine. It’s an on-going process, isn’t it?
Giving over all control to Him… definitely a struggle. But I love the practical reminders you provide that actively remind us how to let go of the things we’re holding so tightly onto, and give to Him.
This blessed me today! Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup
Thank you for taking the time to comment Christine. It’s an on-going struggle for sure. Let’s ask Him to help us learn to live differently as we lay it down.
Katie, this is so beautiful. Just what I need to do RIGHT NOW. I’m one of those “overly responsible” people too. This is a great devotional, very encouraging, and meeting a need so many of us feel. Thanks.
Thank you dear Betsy. I am excited about the feedback and glad I am not alone in these struggles.:)
God has placed a burden on my heart of something similar, that being we take on tasks that He never called us to. It comes as a confirmation to me to hear someone else with a similar message. Thank you!
That’s an important message that He’s laid on your heart Trena.
This is a great devotional Katie 🙂 May God inspire and bless you as you write more for Him! Blessings, friend! 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement Ruth!
Oh, this is beautiful and so fine. The words touch me deeply. They are words I need and want to send down roots deep within and to teach me the way to unravel the burdens I have carried most of my life.
As a child, my father was a Navy doctor and would be sent somewhere for weeks or even months at a time. I was the oldest of three girls and he would say to me (innocently), “Now you take care of your Mommy and sisters for me while I am gone.” I took those messages to heart. I was a serious child. Then one day, when I was 12, he died after having pancreatic cancer for 6 months. He was gone again. This time, he had not said those words to me, but I still heard them. The responsibility seemed mine to bear. I still held onto it and did my best. I know that now and have given my burden to Jesus more than once, but know that it is not mine to bear. Never really was. I don’t blame Daddy. We just did what we do because we are human and we love one another.
I am so grateful I came here today for I feel the need to pray and make sure I am still not carrying this. I mean my Mama has been gone from this earth for 2 years now. I certainly should not be carrying her and my sisters are grown. Thanks for giving me the freedom to share.
Visiting from Holly’s.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Thank you so much Linda for sharing this story. I am sorry about the passing of your parents. Let’s keep growing as we follow His lead.
I agree! Wholeheartedly, I agree.
“She, now in her fifties, was currently facing health problems and believed that part of the reason was all those years of taking on things in the name of “responsibility” that were not hers to begin with; they had taken a toll on her body.”
We say we know stress is bad for us, but I think we highly underestimate the toll it takes on our health.
Thank you for shedding the light of truth. I receive!
Indeed Lisa. Thanks for commenting.:)
Beautiful blog post, both the words and the art and format! I am really enjoying the scriptures from Isaiah! Powerful! I try very hard not to carry the burdens alone, trusting in Him, but I admit that sometime I try! Thank you for the encouragement and for the guidance!
Thank you Jodie- hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.:)
Katie,
I really like the way you structured this. It is very “user friendly.” And the content is great! Many of our weights result from wanting to control things that aren’t ours to control. It is a tough battle , but with the right truth to gird up our minds, we can release those weights to our Lord! Linking up from 3 Word Wednesday! 🙂
Thank you Christy- this whole letting go and letting God takes time, doesn’t it?:)
Oh, thank you for the reminder that I need to stop taking on the weight or burdens He never meant for me to bear. I’m so good at grabbing those up and running (or trying to) with them!
Oh me too Anita!
Thanks for sharing, I needed this and loved it!!
Thank you Abby!:)
I love this! The format is great and the encouragement is superb. Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks for the feedback Kristin.:)
Really like the format and the content, Katie – very tangible, relevant and practical which just makes God’s word applicable. Spoke to me and stretched me to look more deeply too. Way to go!
Thank you Tiffany!
Thank you for this post….there are many of us who have suffered for years with being tightly wound women who need what God is giving you Katie, to set us free.
How I thank God for your ministry and that you listen to Him so well, for us all.
May God prosper everything you set your hands to. Deut 28.8 and 30.9 “The LORD your God will then make you successful in everything you do. … “Then the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the …. a conditional engagement, but declaring an event assuredly to take place.
Mary- Words cannot express how much your comment meant to me. Thank you for your blessing and encouragement.
Loved it! I especially like, Katie, how you offer a tangible plan for how to change. You inspire with your words only to lead us through our actions. Cheering on this devotion from the #RaRalinkup. Let’s unwind, please God, let’s unwind!
Thank you Kelly. And Amen!
Excellent! There is a delicate balance between becoming all that the proverbs 31 woman calls us to be and resting. In His rest we find more energy to do the things we need by following His leading. Thank you friend for sharing your heart.