Winter here in Ohio has been anything but normal. We have experienced a few typical winter days with very cold temps and even a little snow. If I had to describe winter in Ohio this year, it would sound more like spring than winter.
This past week we have had several glorious days with temps in the 60s as well as flooding rains. Thunder and lightning streaked across the gray sky that is usually dotted with clouds preparing for snow, chilling winds and cold days. Blessed with some extra time, I strapped on my walking shoes and headed to a local park. The horizon across the lake had taken on a new look due to flooding rains and God began to impress this question on my heart “What has been flooding your heart recently?
The flooding lake somehow connected me with flooding hearts. God is unique in the way that He wishes to teach us. This day I was hearing all the ways our hearts can be flooded.
So think about the question “what has been flooding your heart recently” and take a quiet moment to listen for all the ways.
Flooding hearts are filled with…
Anxiety
Restlessness
Sadness
Fear
Frustration
Uncertainty
And the list of emotions goes on and on!
But making a list is not enough. When our hearts become saturated, we need to find a way to drain off the excess. Too much anxiety, fear or frustration can lead to a heart that is flooded with toxins that will eat away at us. A healthy heart is needed daily as we look to complete the tasks set before us.
Recently my heart has been flooded with anxiety. My daily prayer has been for peace. An all, encompassing peace that creates calm and rest throughout my body. A peace that can only come from God.
When our hearts are flooded with the weight of the world, God is our balance. In turning to Him, we are saying “we trust you, Lord to fix the brokenness”. We acknowledge that His promises are the replacement we need to rid our hearts of the toxins of negativity.
[Tweet “When our hearts are flooded with the weight of the world, God is our balance.”]
God has the power to fill our messy hearts with love, grace, peace, rest, gratitude, and the list goes on.
In our anxious days, we need Jesus.
When the darkness threatens to overcome the light, we need Jesus.
When our hearts our flooded with overwhelming emotions, God is the hope that hears our every need. His light will overcome the darkness and His strength is all we need.
God is the keeper of our hearts. He would love nothing more than to flood our hearts with restoration and renewal.
Today I pray for all whose hearts are flooded with negativity. May God be the balance in your clouded vision and may you see clearly that God is all you need. Praying these words from Psalm 62 fill you with hope and peace.
I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I’m set for life.
7-8 My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be. Psalm 62:5-8 MSG
Much love to all!
Mary
Linking up with:
I’m sorry your heart is filled with anxiety, Mary, and I pray God will give you peace. Those toxins of negativity can be so overwhelming sometimes, can’t they? But what a wonderful lesson God taught you through nature! I always find it so amazing how His creation can teach us so much about spiritual life. I’m feeling flooded this afternoon by a mixture of emotions. I love the hope you give here. Yes, we need Jesus so much! I love this – “God is the keeper of our hearts. He would love nothing more than to flood our hearts with restoration and renewal.” His love and faithfulness are so amazing! Thank you for encouraging me today.
Trudy-knowing that you were encouraged here is such a gift. God brings the right people every time, I am convinced. His words are always ones that we need to surround ourselves with when we are uncertain or flooded by emotions. I am praying right now that you are feeling peace in this day and comfort from God throughout your week. Blessings!
Praying with you and for you, dear friend. I know what exactly what you’re talking about. I hear you. I do …
Thank you for surrounding me in prayer. I can feel the power in those prayers and it means so much. I am always blessed when you stop by.
Hi Sweet Friend – please tell me what is flooding your heart with anxiety? Your dad? Your trip to Nicaragua? I would love to get together with you to talk and pray but realize your plate is full right now. However, if you have time, please let me know. Until we meet, may you find comfort in knowing that God is with you always and your friends are praying for you with fervent love.
Hoping to see you soon.
Love,
Karen
Thank you for praying and caring so deeply. My plate is full with my dad. I will message you and give you more details. I do want to get together with you and am trying to get my head above water. You are such a dear to check in here and love me so much. Hugs friend!
Mary, your words and beautiful images have really stirred me into considering what has been flooding my heart recently. Sad to say, much of it has been negative and soul-wearying. This post has given me hope of seeing change when I remember to turn to Him. These words really spoke to me: “He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul.” Yes! I choose to exhale the anxiety and breathe in His peace. Thank you, friend! You always do my soul good when I stop by. <3
I am humbled that you were blessed by these words. I’m sorry to hear that you have been flooded with soul-wearying thoughts. It is so easy to be consumed with things that really were meant for God to carry for us. I will be praying for you too as we make our way through this new week.
Amazing photos and a beautiful post. The words of Romans 15:13 were singing their way through my heart as I read: Now may the God of hope fil you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
That’s the kind of “flooding” that I need more of!
I have been finding such comfort and challenge in the words of the book of Romans. This is no exception. Thank you for sharing them with me. We all need the flooding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Praying we all feel flooded by God and his peace and presence throughout this week.
Hi Mary! I can relate to anxious prayer, believe me. Fear is not a stranger to me as you know from my posts.
Thinking about what ‘floods my heart’ is a powerful thing. That’s going to take some examination I think. I usually only find what seems to float to the top. Maybe that’s not all that’s there? Maybe there is so much wonder and beauty under all those emotions.
Great thought provoker today. Thank you!
Ceil
Now you have given me a new perspective to think about.”Maybe there is wonder and beauty under all those emotions”. I am going to make it my mission to look for the beauty and hope that is found in the creation of all things beautiful. I know that you and fear have a love/hate relationship and I continue to pray for you as you learn to stand in the truth that God tells you about who you are. Thank you for the blessing of being here with me with your encouraging words.
I’m always touched by how God speaks to you on your walks, Mary. We are truly kindred hearts, as I, too, hear from Him most profoundly when I’m out in nature – breathing Him in and out as a prayer as I walk. I pray He gives you the peace you seek, dear friend, I know that He will.
We are kindred spirits and your photographs always send me such strong messages. I love capturing God’s beauty and hearing from Him which He is most kind to do when I am walking. Thank you for praying for peace! It means everything to know that I am surrounded in prayer. Love and hugs!
I love that, “God is the keeper of our hearts,” Mary! So true! But I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling with anxiety. I will pray for you in that–as I have you on a set day in my week to pray for you. I know that your prayer for God’s comforting presence will be answered, my friend.
You are such a beautiful prayer warrior and I am humbled that you pray for me specifically. I am so thankful for you and am praying that God brings comfort and peace to all of us this week. Blessings!
Mary, I know those feelings of anxiety that can flood our minds! As women we tend to multitask and try to do it all, meanwhile trying to hold everything together. I pray today that we would have a revelation of God’s love for us and that the Prince of Peace would help us to rest in Him! Visiting form #GiveMeGrace linkup!
As women we feel we need to always be the strong one. I”m not sure why we have taken this on as our identity, but you are right in saying we are always trying to hold it all together. I pray we all feel God’s love and peace today as we begin this new week. Thank you for blessing me by stopping by.
Mary,
“God is a safe place to be.” Amen. When I see/feel the red flags of anxiety, fear, etc., that is my signal that I need to run to the refuge of God’s loving arms and be with Him. He provides the refuge that we need under his protective wing. Praying for you sweet friend, that you would find that refuge amidst the turmoil right now. His arms are waiting…
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you for your prayers! Feeling anxious and overwhelmed is not the place I like to be. Sharing these feelings is even harder, but God has the last word and He knew that I needed to not only share these words but pray that someone else can relate and be touched by the promise that God is always faithful through it all. Thank you for being such a blessing!