“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Have you ever felt so distracted by the cares of life, you had trouble focusing? Our minds can become cluttered with so many concerns that we can’t function. The simple act of spelling a word or remembering a name becomes a challenge. Our minds feel jammed with too many issues and nothing seems to be resolved. Like a pressure cooker, the steam builds and “blowing our lid” seems possible.

Sometimes the cares are huge: the illness of a loved one, passing of a test, the threat of a potential storm. Any “huge” concern is significant enough to capture our minds and destroy our celebration of life. It only takes one storm to “rain on our parade” and wash away a good day.

Other times the cares are small: the locking of the front door at night, the “honey-do list” that never stops growing, the quandary of where we laid our keys. As small items fill a grocery basket, so the small pressures of life mount until we feel overloaded. To do everything demanded, we fumble at all the needs but seem to do little right.

An overloaded life is a universal problem. Everyone feels like life is too much sometimes in their lives. The Psalmist spoke of “when” cares are many. He never said, “if” cares are many. It is only a matter of time before we join the crowd and fret about the demands of life.

It is in times of overload that we need encouragement. The best source for that is from the Lord. He cares about what we face.

His Holy Spirit is present to be our encourager. His Word is insightful in addressing exactly where we are. His leadership directs us out of the maze into the way of rest and restoration. His counsel helps us process how we feel. His protection helps us relax. His plan gives us confidence in outcomes. His partnership helps us shoulder the burden. His compassion helps us feel loved.

The Lord wants to be the one you call upon when the cares of life seem too much. He is not just the Lord of the mountain tops; He is also the Lord of the valleys. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He is delighted to hear from you even when there is a little whine in your voice. He always has time to listen and, even more, He has the wisdom to know just what to say to us and the power to solve cares and concerns.

Like the cheers of fans for a team in competition gives “home field advantage,” the encouragement of God gives us advantage as we struggle. The only difference that increases our possibility for success is that God does more than just cheer; He joins us in the struggle. He is not only coach, but captain of the team and the star player. When He enters our struggles, we win.

Through the cares of life, God wants us to see that real life was meant to find celebration in Him, not circumstances. As long as we live in this life, there will be cares and concerns. However, God’s care for us lasts forever. In that, be grateful and realize that if God can handle forever for you, He can handle today as well. Let the Lord be the source of your happiness and nothing will “rain on your parade.”

Bro. John A. Temple is pastor of Poplar Springs Drive Baptist Church, 4032 Poplar Springs Drive, Meridian. Visit the church website at www.psdbc.org.