Are You Having a Hard Week?
Everyone has hard weeks from time to time. Unfortunately, some of us experience them more often than others. I believe different seasons of life can play a factor in stressful weeks, but I also believe that sometimes the enemy just comes and hits us with one thing after another, trying to take us out.
John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
What hope that we have in Jesus! He has come to fill us up and give us life to the fullest.
This week, my mom was having a very hard time feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. This was due to many things, but my family has not seen her this overwhelmed in a long time. It was starting to affect her health, and truthfully, we were all worried for her.
One day, she called me in tears because she was at her breaking point. Hearing my mom hysterically crying and so stressed out broke my heart. She didn’t want to talk about why she was upset; all she could say was, “Please pray right now.”
I told her I would absolutely pray over her, but I also wanted to make sure she was okay. My family knows this about me, but sometimes I talk too much, and all my mom wanted was for me to pray. She repeated herself and said, “I just really need prayers; I’m so overwhelmed.”
I started praying over her, and on the other end of the phone I heard my mom halfway crying, halfway laughing. I was wondering what was happening on the other end but wanted to finish my prayer before asking her what was going on.
After we said “Amen,” she proceeded to tell me how Paris (her new standard poodle puppy that is not so little anymore) jumped up on her when we started praying, stood there perfectly with her paws crossed on my mom’s arms, and bowed her head. I guess Paris wanted to be in on the prayer, especially after seeing her momma so stressed out all week!
I have said this multiple times on my blog, but I’m going to say it again: animals just know… They know what we need when we need it. They know the name of Jesus. And I believe with 100% of my whole being that God works through them to touch our hearts and bring healing to areas we didn’t know possible.
This is what Paris did for my mom that day, and it’s all because of God’s miraculous wonder-working power.
God cares about you, friend! He is working in your life and wants to eliminate the stress and exchange it with peace. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
If you are having a hard week, this is your moment to turn to Jesus. If you don’t know how to pray or what to pray, or you’re feeling too weak to pray, call a family member or a friend just like my mom did. I promise God will show up for you and bring you the joy, peace, and rest you deserve!
Journal Prompt:
How has God shown up for you recently? In the moments of feeling overwhelmed and stressed, try journaling your real and raw emotions to get them off your chest. Sometimes I even type it in my notes on my phone or do a voice-memo and it feels so freeing!
Also, if you have animals in your life, be on the lookout for little moments where they show up for you in the moments you need it most.
Ref: Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 6:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
