I slammed the door and stomped to my car. If one more thing went wrong today, I was going to lose it! Then I saw it—a flat tire. I could feel the emotion bubbling inside until I could no longer contain it. I burst into tears right then and there.

Lately, it seemed like one thing after another has gone wrong. I know in my head that these are opportunities to sacrifice and grow in patience, but I am too absorbed in my anger and frustration to grow in any kind of holiness.

My cries were reminiscent of today’s Psalm, “O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily” (Psalm 102: 2).

After drying my tears, I asked God, “Why are you piling so much on me right now?” He gently replied in my heart, “Why are you trying to carry it all by yourself?”

He was right. I was so caught up in everything going on, I lost sight of Jesus. So I knelt before the crucifix and gazed at Him. I could feel the stress dwindle and my resignation to trust in God grow. His grace was being poured upon me.

In the days that followed, my problems didn’t automatically go away. I still had to deal with the flat tire, broken appliances, and family issues, but my heart was in a better place. I leaned on Jesus instead of trying to do it all alone.

When you’re feeling the crush of a stressful day or the unbearable heaviness of a cross you’re carrying, turn your gaze back to Jesus. Let go of your desire to control the situation and place it in the hands of God. He is waiting for you.

listen to today’s devotion

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What's stacked on your pile of stresses? Remember to ask Jesus for help today.