Peace Is Possible in the Midst of Life’s Storms {and giveaway!}

I’m so excited to offer you this special post by my friend, Tracie Miles. In honor of her book release, Unsinkable Faith, she’s giving away one free copy to one of you! See below for all the details.

 

Have you ever thought your heart and mind couldn’t be at peace because your circumstances were far from peaceful? I have good news, my friend.

Peace is available even in the midst of less than peaceful circumstances.

Considering life will always present circumstances and problems that threaten to steal our peace and fill our hearts and minds with negative thoughts, this is great news for followers of Jesus!

Scripture tells us in John 16:33 that in this life we will have troubles. It’s a given. In fact, even when we’re trying to embrace God’s peace instead of letting our less-than-peaceful circumstances crush our spirits, there may still come a time when we feel God has given us more than we can handle.

And honestly, those problems just might be more than we can handle.

More than our heart can bear. More than we can process mentally without having fear, negativity, pessimism, frustration and maybe even hopelessly begin to root deeply into the recesses of our minds. Sometimes, the negative happenings of life just seem like too much. I get it.

But nothing is ever too much for God, or too much for us if we abide in Him.

All too often, when we’re going through rough times, well-meaning people try to reassure us by quoting the all-too-popular “God will never give us more than we can handle” cliché, and I bet you’ve heard or been told that before. But the truth is, nowhere in scripture do we find that saying. In fact, scripture says just the opposite.

The disciples alone experienced so many countless troubles and serious hardships – physically-mentally-spiritually-emotionally- that it makes one wonder how they carried such heavy loads and managed to stay bold, faithful and strengthened in the face of such never ending adversity. But we all know, they weren’t doing life alone. They had Jesus. And so do we.

The confusion about the phrase “God will never give us more than we can handle”,  most likely originates from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (NLT) Notice this verse mentions temptations, not burdens.

Here Paul is saying we will never be ‘tempted’ beyond what we can stand up against in God’s strength, not that we will never feel burdened beyond what we think we are capable of handling. Because when we’re feeling the most burdened, is when we are tempted to think negatively, but also, when we are most likely to call out to God and seek to hear His voice.

Sometimes problems put us right where He wants us – in His Presence seeking His intervention.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly experienced painful circumstances and adversities that I thought were more than I could handle. Times when I wasn’t happy with God about all I was going through. Times when I found myself wondering if God had in deed given me more than I could bear. Wondering if the mistakes of my past would sting my heart forever. Wondering if the weight of the hurt that others inflicted upon me could ever be lifted. Wondering if I could ever forgive those who had betrayed me. Wondering if the situations I was facing would ever end or be resolved, and doubting they could ever be used for God’s good, much less His good in my life. Sometimes even wondering if I might get crushed under the weight of my negative thoughts and emotions as I contemplated just wanting to give up hope entirely.

I love how The Message Bible reminds us of God’s holy promise and instructs us about what to do when we’re at the end our rope and negative thoughts are consuming our every thought. We find this instruction in Psalm 55:22,  “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.  He’ll never let good people topple into ruin.” 

Here we see David complaining to God about the heartache and fear resulting from friends who had betrayed him and enemies who were after him. His burdens seemed overwhelming, and in utter despair he poured his concerns out to God. Yet what is so amazing in that in the same breath, we also see him choosing to pile those troubles onto God’s shoulders, committing to trust and believe He would bring victory and help him get through.

You see, David changed his attitude, and it immediately changed his life.

When we control our thoughts instead of letting them control us, positive changes pour in.

Our ‘enemies’ are probably different than David’s. Instead of people, they may be sin, regrets of the past, feelings of unworthiness, or difficult and painful circumstances. Our enemies may be stressful situations at work, hurtful co-workers, broken marriages, prodigal children, or financial worries. But like David, we too can find comfort and spiritual healing if we believe God is with us, patiently waiting for us to depend on Him and lay down the emotional weights we are shouldering. When we find healing in our hearts, we can also find healing in our minds, which opens the door for us to begin thinking positively even if life doesn’t appear to warrant it.

Life can be hard. The past can grip our hearts. Memories can be painful. Burdens can feel heavy. Regrets can feel suffocating. Emotions can seem overwhelming. Situations can seem hopeless and more than you can bear. But even in the midst of the most raging storms, it is possible to think positive thoughts, feel positive emotions, live a positive life and have an unsinkable faith just like David’s. It’s all a matter of choosing to do so, despite the “enemies” around us.

The real truth is, God will give us more than we can handle all alone, but it will never be more than He can handle.

He has also given us the ability to control our thoughts, which helps us fight the battlefield of the mind. If we choose to think negative, we will feel negative, and live negative, and a negative mind will never lead to a positive life.  But if we choose to think positive, a positive life is in our future and God will hold our hand all the way there.

How might your life change today if you decided to change your attitude before God changes your circumstances? If you’re for a mind over matter transformation, and to begin living a more positive life, stop and pray and invite God to start ushering you into the land of optimism, one positive thought at a time.

Tracie Miles peace

Tracie Miles is a national Speaker and Author with the internationally known Proverbs 31 Ministries (www.proverbs31.org) and has spent the last eleven years inspiring women to live intentionally for Christ  In addition to Unsinkable Faith, she is also the author of two best selling books,  Your Life Still Counts: How God Uses Your Past To Create A Beautiful Future(2014) and Stressed Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World (2012). She is also a contributing author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women’s Devotional Bible, and the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional Book.  Tracie is a monthly contributing writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions, which reach nearly one million people per day around the world with encouragement from God’s Word. Tracie has 3 children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Now for the giveaway*!

To enter to win a copy of Unsinkable Faith, leave a comment by Sunday, April 9 and share one way you can pile your troubles on God’s shoulders. 

P.S. I’d love to send you 15 Power Promises to Fight Fear & Anxiety! Subscribe to my blog in the box in the left-hand column and I’ll send them straight to your inbox!

*The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations Linda on winning a copy of Tracie’s book, Unsinkable Faith. Thank you all for your comments. I’m so thankful for each one of you!

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50 Comments

  1. Great wisdom on a topic that is so often misunderstood clarifying burdens and temptations! We can pile our troubles on His shoulders by keeping our eyes fixed on Him at all times, in all things and taking every thought captive under His Light! Thank you!

  2. This looks like a book that is speaking into what I am dealing with right now! Being wife of 1 and mother of 5 and working full time is very stressful! One daughter is making some decisions that are very hurtful to my husband and I. I daily, hourly, every minute have to give her and the situation over to God and ask Him to work in her life even though she has shut me out.
    I would love to read this book!
    Blessings to you!

  3. Oh Tracie you are so very very right! If we could just change our attitude. It’s so hard sometimes especially when our circumstances are sometimes created by others. But to continue to depend on God is truly our answer. I look forward to reading your book to help me remember whose God is in my life and how he can help me and my family. Blessings on your continued ministry Tracie!

  4. This is the 2nd devotion in a week I have read by Tracie concerning negative thoughts. As I am dealing with an autoimmune disease which has rocked my world, God keeps putting the message in front of me that I need to focus on positive healing thoughts. He is showing me that I have allowed negative thinking to shape my world which has led to sickness but I can now intentionally focus on positive thoughts, on scripture, and my life will change. Thank you Tracie, for this timely message for me.

  5. Prayer always and everyday is my first step in thinking more positive in asking God to help guide me and fill my heart and mind with positivity. There are many times the day can seem to be going good and the bad negative thoughts from the past etc. will begin to seep in and this is something I seriously need to work on in asking God for his help and guidance to get me through. Thank you for this amazing post and read! Blessings to all for a positive future ahead.

  6. One way I can turn all my promblems over to him is by talking to him about them and trying to see things from his perspective.thank u for giving us this opportunity to win

  7. This book sounds so encouraging to me, I think many can benefit from reading it.
    I too, like many other women struggle with my emotions, and would love to read your book.
    I think by submitting your emotions over to God you can give Him your troubles, I’m not great at this, I’m still learning.
    Sometimes, I try to do it by myself and I forget to stop what I’m doing and just pray, submit them to Him. I also, pray that God would remove any negative feelings from me on a daily basis, I believe, this has been helpful in my own life.
    Thank you for sharing your book with us, blessings to you.
    Phyllis

  8. Orphaned at 9 in a third world country I have had many trials that I know my Jesus alone could have walked me through. I never knew how hard a trial was till I experienced my only daughter on the brink of death. She has been through a lot and I see Gods glory in life because her illness is unpredictable and I truly as a mom experienced the end of self and have to leave her at the feet of Jesus. He has saved her when emergency medications in a hospital were not helping. He restored her as if nothing had ever happened and in His name through her life His glory has reigned and will reign. Whatever happens I know the God who protected me born 50 years ago at 28 weeks without an incubator available is the same God who I know is Sovereign and each moment I live as a mom He is in control of her life. Praise my Jesus who is incredibly loving and who died on a cross for mankind!

    1. Corena, what a beautiful and powerful testimony. Thank you for blessing us with this reminder and proof the Jesus alone is all we need. Praise the Lord!

  9. As a wife and mother to three, an unexpected cancer diagnosis crumbled out world. We had to find the courage to stand in God’s promises before the world revealed what we were up against. Now being cancer free but undergoing chemotherapy it has brought me to another place of complete reliance on the Lord. This would be an excellent read and fuel for my battle. Bless you for writing and sharing God’s promises.

    1. Praying for you Rosie and thank you for such beautiful words, “it has brought me to another place of complete reliance on the Lord.” May we all experience this place.

  10. This book looks just what I need to read right now. It is very hard sometimes to keep your faith in the Master of Life from sinking time to time. When the storms or battles (trials/valleys) come your way. Right now I am trying my level best to keep the fox out of the henhouse (Satan) {Song of Solomon 2}. Right now I am dealing with a lot of health problems and to top it I am having one bury a lot of loves one right now. I have been practicing when I am for our church Easter Cantata; but my allergies are making that hard to do at times. When we try to do our level best to stay faithful, it is always seems to me that Satan tries extra hard to sink our faith in the Master of Life. When those times come I try to picture Peter walking on the water and say extra prayer or two to help me not to drown or go overboard (jump ship). I try my level best to keep my eyes fixed up on the Lighthouse to keep on course with my faith and my daily walk with Him each day. One scripture that helps is found in Hebrews ~~ it tells to walk by faith and not by sight.

  11. I need to walk by faith right now in the midst of trials affecting my life. I need to control my thought life & give it over to my Lord..

    1. Hi Janice, you are so right to recognize how very powerful our thoughts are. Praying for you as you seek to control your thought life.

  12. To pray more often. To tell him everything even though he knows. To ask for help and forgiveness and to trust in him.

  13. I was married for 14 years, then went through a divorce, raising my 2 teens and a tween on my own. 2 atempts at relationship in past 3 years left me broken and hurting.
    I finally asked my girlfriends to hold me accountable and get me out of the house at least once week so I stop hiding and not give in to depression. God is using these women to touch my life.
    When things are really bad I prostrate myself on the floor in my tiny bedroom after work and cry to God, tell him what hurts, where I need help and praise him through the tears.

    1. Hi Eva, I’m praying for you today as you navigate life. I pray you meet God each day through your friends and your prayer and you find the confidence, encouragement and peace that comes from the fullness of God!

  14. This so speaks to me in so many ways. Can’t wait to read this book. Past year has been full of many challenges-husband had surgery on back and infection and complications left him a quadraplegic. I struggled for a long time and my prayer finally became: Lord, help me keep my eyes on You and not the circumstances. I have never doubted God’s presence even in the valley we are in. Miracles are happening and my husband has regained use of his arms and some movement if his legs and after a year, he is back home. God gives me strength each day to care for him.

    1. Linda, this prayer is so powerful and life changing, “Lord, help me keep my eyes on You and not the circumstances.” Thank you so much for sharing this here. Praying for you and your husband.

  15. To keep telling myself the truth(His Word) and telling Jesus to take care of the lies the enemy is telling me over and over. I think the more I sit with Him and really believe He is with me and for me makes such a difference…………………and NOT going over and over whatever the problem or storm is. I do tend to do that . Thanks Lord for never giving up on me…………….no matter what! Such a hard season this has been……………..I wonder…………………..when is it really over!?

    1. Oh this is so true, Pam! Jesus is with us and He is for us and that makes such a difference … but it’s so easy to stay focused on the storm. Praying for you today as you endure this season. Thank you for sharing!

  16. This book should be a must for every person who has found life complicated with distractions from the world, stress from people and situations beyond control. It is wonderful that we have such a loving Father who takes care of all our needs. Like the psalmist David found out, we must tell the Lord all about our problems and then praise our God that He will take care of us. It is a matter of surrender of our will to His and trust Him in EVERYTHING! I can’t wait to read this book. It will shore up my faith and strengthen my spirit.

  17. Recently, God has been urging me to be more intentionally grateful. This prodding has come through a devotion, a Christian novel, and in prayer. Instead of concentrating on a difficulty, I am finding ways to be grateful. It helps me to remember that God is blessing me, and that God is good all the time. Katy is right. God gives us more than we can handle, so we will realize we can do nothing on our own. It is very freeing to say, “I’m not supposed to be strong enough, because He is.”

  18. I just have to tell myself that the guilt I feel at not doing something (even if the “doing something” is just worrying!) is not from God. That he begs me to give him my worries and cares. It is something I have to do over and over throughout the day.

    1. Hi Megan, thanks so much for sharing. I think so many of us understand exactly what you’re talking about and the discipline of giving God our worries over and over throughout the day is exactly what we need! Great to hear from you!

  19. I can’t wait to read this book. Just what you have shared on the site is speaking volumes to me in my currrnt circumstances. I pray without ceasing and talk to my Father throughout the day when I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

    1. Amen Cathy, pray without ceasing! There’s such a shift in our circumstances when we pray instead of worry. Thank you for sharing!

  20. I really enjoyed this post. I struggle with chronic pain and mental illness and am so often told that phrase about God not giving us more than we can handle or that Christ also struggled and he died, so why am I complaining. When I am feeling weighed down by concerns and frustrations, I take a deep breath, ask God to give me His peace, and I tell God what is on my mind. I try my best to give Him everything and not take it back. I also found that writing my prayers out helps because when I am at a point where my mind cannot form words, I can pray a prayer I have already written. Also I know that the Holy Spirit interprets my groans into words to God’s ear.

    1. Hi Jen, I’m praying for you today as you struggle with your pain and illness. I love your words, ” I try my best to give Him everything and not take it back.” It’s hard sometimes to cast our cares on Jesus and LEAVE them there. May God bless you as you trust in Him! Thank you for sharing.

  21. Thank you for sharing Tracie’s post. I would like to win a copy of the book to share with another woman in my life that I think would be greatly encouraged by it, just like I have been.

  22. Yes and the title speaks the message, so why I need Jesus to get through the storms.

  23. I just subscribed to your blog. Thank you for “15 Power Promises to Fight Fear & Anxiety! ” One way I can pile my troubles on God’s shoulders is that when I do so, to remember that God loves me unconditionally. Instead of repeatably thinking of my problems and wanting my way, rather to be grateful for what I have and be thankful that God has everything under control. I need to listen to Him and act on what He is asking me to do, and to have faith and trust Him. I pray for help. April 9th is my birthday; it would be nice to win a copy of this book to share with a friend.

    1. Hi Maya! I’m my blessing to share those verses with you. Your words are so true and powerful, “be grateful for what I have and be thankful that God has everything under control.” Great to hear from you!

  24. I would love to win a copy of Tracies new book. So encouraged by her post here.

    Thank you for sharing today Katie and Tracie. ????

    I take all my cares and concerns and I leave them at the foot of Cross. I pray, and wait. I sometimes pray some more and Be still and know that He is God… Psalm 46:10

  25. The REAL battlefield is in our mind. If you are breathing and have a beating heart, then you go into battle every single day. Who would stand in the middle of a battlefield without having first put on the proper armor of protection? If we aren’t in God’s word on a daily basis, then we are standing in the middle of a battlefield with no armor and no protection to ward off the enemy. His word is our shield against negativity and doubt that Satan tries to plant in our daily thoughts. His word is our sword, used to defend ourselves against intruding messages of hopelessness, remorse, guilt, being overwhelmed, fear, anxiety and ALL other negativity thrown at us. We can stand on God’s promises in HIS word, and “take every thought captive ” before it has the opportunity to take root. Sometimes this battle is difficult to fight, especially when we are weighed down by everyday issues and overwhelmed by our problems. This is when we need to take the negative thoughts captive, cast them out, and instead, let our FAITH take root and grow. God wants us to lighten the load of our burdens and place them at the foot of the Cross so that He may carry them, instead. In the same way we would do this for our own children, God wants to shoulder our problems for us. His shoulders are much more broad and sturdy than our own! Trusting God to fight our battles, carry our burdens and guide us through our seasons of darkness requires, 1.) Giving them over to God, and 2.) Stepping out on that limb of faith and trusting in God, knowing that He always keeps His Word.
    We serve a mighty King who knows us each by name! That alone gives me comfort in knowing that He is with me every step of the way, in every battle of each day!!

  26. Sometimes I just say I Think God has got me mixed up with someone else … but pressing on Lord teach us to LAUGH AGAIN …but never let us forget we cried .

  27. I have been dealing (sometimes barely dealing) with anxiety and panic attacks for the past six months. I have prayed and prayed for relief and have been put on a new medication that I pray helps me. I believe God allowed this for a good reason and that He will heal me in his time.

  28. It’s great encouragement blessings for me to read the word of God and praying to Him. You guys I really appreciate for your continued message and prayer.
    Please pray for me Right now I have a lot of stress concerning my lovely wife. She is in Africa her visa process is stack. God can do great things for his children Amen!

  29. Casting all our cares to Him through prayer, being still and believe He will take care of it all, in His time, His way. Would love a copy of the book.

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