“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” 

Psalm 91:1

Just this weekend I was feeling overwhelmed. The boys were fighting constantly, the pile of to-do’s at work and home threatened to topple me, the project deadlines were looming, and depression and anxiety were pounding at my door. To top it all off, my husband was working long hours, so I was on my own.

I wanted to curl up in the fetal position until it all went away. 

Then I remembered my strong tower. I remembered God’s invitation to abide. 

I sat on the floor beside my bed and told him, “I can’t, but You can.” I told him I needed his strength to be a good mom, to face the to-do lists, to finish the projects, to fight off the depression and anxiety that threatened to crush me. 

In that moment, he reminded me of my friends, so I sent them a quick text sharing how I was about to go under and asking them to pray. All that afternoon their responses came through with prayers on my behalf. 

With God’s strength and their prayers, I was able to see the most important tasks and leave the rest. I was able to find the strength to finish the project. My eyes were opened to what my kids needed most, and God gave me the strength to do it. 

God’s invitation to abide is always there. He longs for us to curl up close in his shadow and be protected by him. He longs to strengthen us to do what he knows we can’t do on our own. Jesus goes so far to say in John 15:5,

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 

Friend, if you’re feeling overwhelmed today, if your to-do lists, responsibilities, depression, or anxiety are threatening to drown your spirit, turn to God and abide in him. Seek him in his word and in prayer. Connect to him through the community he’s blessed you with, and worship him for who he is and what he’s already done in your life. 

His arms are open wide and he longs for you to abide in him. 

If you’d like some ideas to get started today, join us for the Abide 5 Day Challenge that begins January 13th. Click below to join!

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Do you want to learn more about how to abide in Jesus daily? Click below to get my new book Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily. In it you’ll find 40 ways to begin making Jesus a daily part of your life today! Click the image below to purchase your copy.