My last month and a half have been incredibly busy. With a conference and a major women’s event, I have worked long hours preparing. My mind has been filled with tasks needing done as well as thinking through needs that may have been overlooked so everything is ready. I dreamed about the conference at least three times, and since it is now over, my dreams have been replaced with the women’s event! Caring for my family and the house, as well as meeting writing deadlines, has also been a part of the last month and a half.

In the past this type of busyness left me feeling overwhelmed, panicked, and grumpy. Knowing I was entering another busy season, I wanted different. Life will always be filled with busy seasons, but those times do not need to always make us feel distraught. What can you do to keep the panic and the overwhelm in its place?

For me, I began to do the only thing I knew to do, I prayed. When crossing an item off my to do list was replaced with five more things to do, I would pray. When others come with a new task or just to talk, I would pray. When the load felt greater than I could bear or I was too tired to take another step, I would come before the Lord in prayer.

Honestly, it seems simple, but I found as I would talk to the Lord and remind myself of who He was and His promises to me, I found His strength enabled me to tackle yet another task, to listen with compassion and kindness, to find renewed energy as He walked before me.

As we all step into the busyness of the holiday season, panic and grumpiness sets in when we feel overwhelmed by all the tasks and activities. When those feelings start to rise, fill those thoughts with God. With the reminder that God is our Strength, our Help, our Refuge, our Comforter, our Provider, our Peace. He loves us with steadfast love. He will never leave us. He will guide us. He will let us know the way. Those are the thoughts that tame the panic and calm the feelings of being overwhelmed.

As I seek to leave words of encouragement with you today, knowing we all face times far too busy, I would like to just share some verses that filled my prayers. May they encourage you in the same way they have encouraged me during a terribly busy season.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:23-28

“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:17-19

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:21-26