So what to do when life (there is nothing specifically wrong, nothing terrible has happened at all!)is so overwhelming?
Fret, worry, sigh, and cry? Well, unfortuately that does happen. But God has answers for our deepest needs.
So I have been frantically digging for those golden truths.
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”
“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong”
“And He sayeth unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefor will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
“Do not worry about tomorrow”
“Be thankful always”
I am just holding on right now. And waiting.
I am praying for God’s mercy. . . .which I already have. I am praying for God’s peace. . .which He already gave. I am praying for the ability to get through the day with joy. . .which is already there.
Good to be Home 
I am like you… Live, love and laugh hard. Cry, hurt and feel hard. I have been there and know, as you said, that in His word is where we find our strength and solace. He is the one that will lift us back up. He is the one that knows our innermost thoughts. He is the one that knows the end from the beginning. He alone is the one that knows the reason for everything too -that can be the hard part.
Praying for you today… (((hugs)))
mmmmmm..hmmmmm…I’m like that, too. I am more even as I get older, though. I see it in my oldest daughter though and I hope I can teach her to ride the waves a little easier than I did.
I am in much prayer for you today, dear sister in Christ.
May you find peace and encouragement in Him.
Love and thoughts,
Heather
I can relate so much to this post. As women, wives, and mothers we can run the gamut of emotions. On those low days I just keep repeating this phrase over and over: “God is in control”. Comforting…
Hugs, prayers and warm thoughts to you today! Remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Heb.11:1) and
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Ps 34:18-19
~Nadine~
Praying for you today. Thanks for your reminder about the book. I sent you a message.
My good friend Shan! What would life be like without the valleys. I try to keep my eyes focused on things above and when I am feeling down, I long for them so much more.Love you!
prayers and hugs sent your way
Oh my dear, dear friend. I’m sending you hugs today. I do not know what it is like to have five children and be responsible for educating three of them, but I do know that it is God’s will you have those responsibilities right now. As you so wisely counseled me last week, God does not give us more than we can handle. He just wants us to look to Him because we can’t do it on our own.
I never thought of it that way before ~ that the reason I feel the lows is because God has given me a gift of enjoying life so intensely ~ Thank you for sharing the thought. When I find myself sliding on the downside, I make myself remember all the times He has brought me out of the pits and how He brought me out of the worst pit ever when He saved my soul. Then I tell myself, if He did it then, He can and will do it again. Then I just TRY to lean on Him and wait on what I know will eventually happen again ~ He will raise me up. May His peace rest upon you.
Shanda,
I will keep you in my prayers. Try to remember that often when we are in our lowest moments, God draws us nearer and speaks to us, ever reminding us that we are His beloved children and the apple of His eye.
Praying for you!
I’m sorry you’re “down”. God bless you — He cares!
“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song; As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?
Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Saviour cares.”
Wow! You and I must be on the same page! this is essentially what I wrote about too.:):) I know His grace is sufficient and that He is all I need, but there are days when I have to ask Him to help me see the facts instead of believing the feelings. You’re in my prayers. Thanks so much for your transparency.
Blessings and ((((hugs)))))
Jana
What is it about us women?? Up one day and down the next. =( I certainly can identify. It seems like a person can only give, give, give, so much and then I want to crawl in a hole and make the world go away. But Praise God that what goes around, comes around….so praying that this down time for you will be short, and His grace sufficient, and that soon you’ll be walking on clouds again! ((hugs))
The same sensitivity that blesses our lives and those we love, is also the source of our greatest weakness.(and where our Enemy can easily push our buttons)Knowing God made us this way for His good purpose helps…He is a sensitive, passionate God.The bible is full of emotion. Just keep seeking Him, He helps us deal with them when we do
Thank you for the honesty of your words today. I think we all feel this way once in awhile and I know for myself, I feel like I’m being ungrateful for all my blessings or not trusting in the Lord if I give in to those feelings, right or not. Because of that, I’m reluctant to confide in others about it and be honest about my hurts, low times, etc… So, I’ll say a prayer for you today, Shanda. God bless you~ Laurel
I love these verses! They to have been a comfort to me today! Thanks for sharing your true feelings and thoughts! and being real! God is a faithful God! The God of all comfort!
I hear you. I also am in the place of praying to know what really is, instead of just what I feel. A definition of hope I heard yesterday blessed me: “Hope–knowing that whatever God says is reality for me.” Hold on!
I am going through the valley this week as well, there seems to be no reason for it but it is here. Know that you are in my prayers and thoughts my friend. Take lots of pictures of your beautiful children and I am sure your mood will soar…Love, Michelle
our Preacher always says “When you get to the end of your rope just tie a big knot and hold on”
Just surfing Xanga and I found your site. You have a beautiful family!
Well, dear, I cannot tell you how much these words mean to me this evening, on one of the most difficult days of my life (thus far). I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time, I will pray for you this evening. It’s very comforting to read the words “I will never leave the nor forsake thee” on a day like this. Love you, Shanda. Love, Trish
I always love reading your blog….but I especially LOVE looking at your wonderful photographs!! Your children are absolutely ADORABLE!!!
I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed….you can’t pinpoint exactly WHATS overwhelming…just life in general can be like that sometimes. I enjoyed the scriptures you posted….great reminders of GOD being our rock to lean on.
God Bless you….keep posting your pictures!!!! (BRAVO!)
-Casandra
No need to explain dear one. You are doing the right thing by clinging to the promises you know are true and just hold on. “Though the sorrow lasts for the night, the joy of the Lord comes in the morning.” Your morning is coming don’t fret.
P.S. Something that always helps me is to turn on some good praise and worship music and just dance until the joy of the Lord comes! 🙂 (sounds a little silly but it works :))
be blessed!
Hello Sweet and Faithful friend to God…..God wants to be our Friend too. He does love our prayers and quoting His words, but He wants us to crawl up in His Lap and just hug Him, talk to Him and Love Him with all our hearts. Let Him take you in His lap and just sit there and love on Him as He loves on you…..He will take care of all the worries, burdens and delights in our lives, He wants to so badly. Let Him be your sweet friend. God bless you and thanks for being faithful in your sharings. Love, Evalyne
Thanks so much for praying for Dan! I’ll try to post an update tomorrow.
Hey There….Do I hear the thoughts of a kindred spirit here? : ) Awww…..I hear your heart.
You seem sensitive as I am…a true artist in many ways. I’ve noticed many times when I have written an entry you will pick up on little things that others many times will miss and it brings such a smile to my face. I have a feeling your sensitivity is a blessing to others, you are able to see hurt when others don’t. You are a blessing Shanda.
We went to the nursing home today and I saw saints of God there living in dark little rooms and it convicted my heart because I had been feeling a bit down off and on this week. I thought to myself, if these Saints of God can have a smile and a good cheerful heart in these dark little rooms with plastic plates and cafeteria food I should too.
I know that we can’t ignore our feelings but we can offer them up to the Father. He knows anyhow and oh how he longs for our fellowship and love. The enemy would love to make unhappy, the Godly mommies.
You are so pretty and full of life! All of my dds think so too! My dd24 and dd21 are in awe of your energy and youth! Oh to do a cartwheel!
God bless you Dear…. Praying for you… ~Amelia
I know exactly how you feel! Those verses I hold on too and take my Bible with me to sleep with. That is my Sword for the night. God bless you! May HIS GRACE SHINE ON YOU!
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Emotions can be a great~when we have them in control! Remember you act your way into new feelings. I have to CONSTANTLY tell myself this! Keep your eyes fixed on the goal.
I hope your week is going well. I’ve been thinking about you the last couple of days.
Hi! I found your site and loved reading your blog! I also LOVE the pictures you have up on your site, you have a great gift for photography! very inspiring to me! I collect fiesta ware as well! Do you use it as your dinner dishes or just collect it? We use ours (we only buy newer/without the lead paint). Feel free to stop by my site anytime. 🙂
My collection includes colbalt, peacock, shamrock, cinnabar, persimon, sunflower, plum and scarlet. I like the deeper/bolder colors… My grandmother actually started it for me as a wedding gift. She bought me 4 place settings…and then she gets me a different piece every year. She actually has a HUGE collection that was first her mother’s which she adds to all the time. She only uses the newer stuff and displays the rest. I always said I wanted Fiesta when I got married, so she made it happen! I love it. I love that it is something useful and beautiful that I can collect. I often get smaller pieces at Kohl’s, their selection is quite small but when it is on sale sometimes the prices are just too low to pass up!
wow, inspirational words…i can totally relate, why are we women so much more fragile in that way? we run a gammot of emotions all the time, and sometimes it is so overwhelming we dont know how we can make it through….but with the help of the lord anything is possible, i love those scriptrues you have…
i am glad i ran across your blog! i needed to read that, so thank you so much for being honest about how you feel and saying inspirational things! and i absolutely love your pics! so pretty!!