Photo credit: Sergio Zhukov
I am a worrier and an overthinker. I rehearse all the what-ifs because I’m afraid of being blindsided and having no control.
Like many of us, bad things have blindsided me more times than I like to remember. The blindsiding leaves wounds that don’t quite heal–a nervous system always on alert, scanning and planning to try and prevent one more thing. It is an exhausting way to live and takes such a toll on us.
I’m in a season of life where I want more joy, peace, calm, and a surrendered way of living. Surrendered. That’s a tough one for us controllers. I am a work in progress!
Each day I talk to Jesus about everything going on. I do my best to carefully place all the people, things, pets, circumstances, and what-ifs into His hands…and leave them all there with Him. I confess, I often have to give it all to Him again and again, but He knows my heart. He knows I’m trying and how hard and frightening it is.
I love this verse. I needed to see it today. This is truth. Worrying will not add anything joyful, peaceful, calm, or surrendered to my life. It will perpetuate the cycle of fear, hyper-vigilance, and rehearsing all the outcomes.
I don’t want to miss the beauty, joy, peace, and blessings that my Father wants to pour out for me to enjoy and rest in, as I go about my day. He wants to do that for you, too, my fellow worrier. How He loves us!
I prayed for us this morning that God would speak to us, heal us, and calm our worried minds, as He reminds us that He’s got us and He’s trustworthy. He won’t fail us.
I hope you have a lovely day seeking and finding all the hidden joys, blessings, and sweet moments with Jesus that are carefully placed along your path today.
How He loves to delight you with Creation!
Peace be with you. You are so loved.
I prayed over you this morning.
I asked God to go with you today–opening doors that you need to walk through, closing the doors not meant for you.
I asked Him to shelter you from evil and bring you out into an open space so your heart feels lighter and your spirit at peace.
I prayed that He would fill you with His wisdom and discernment to make the decisions you need to make.
I asked Him to bring you joy and laughter because it’s good for the soul.
Let your shoulders drop, your jaw unclench, your heart breathe, and lean into Jesus. He’s got you. He knows what’s ahead of you today. He knows how it will all turn out.
He says that His presence will go with you wherever your path leads you. He will give you rest, He will hold you up, and He will speak heavenly, healing things to your mind, body, and spirit.
Good morning! If you haven’t checked out my 4 devotional books, The Divine Series, I invite you to click the link below 
and check them out.
Discover the God who meets you in every moment—compassionately, powerfully, and always with love.
The Divine Series by Melissa Giomi is a collection of devotionals inviting readers to slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter God in the midst of everyday life. Through poetry inspired by nature, engaging storytelling, and vivid imagery rooted in Scripture, each book offers a fresh way to discover His presence—in a rushed morning routine, a peaceful hike, a whispered prayer, or the chatter of a mountain stream.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by busyness, longing for peace, or simply seeking a deeper sense of connection, the Divine Series becomes a spiritual sanctuary—your invitation to be present and rediscover the beauty of a life lived with God.
This series guides you back to the truth that you are never alone. God is here in the whisper of the wind, the warm glow of a sunset, or the solace of hike in the Redwoods.
I always find God in Nature. Standing under the towering Redwoods that have been there for thousands of years is so humbling.
God’s hands that formed these majestic trees–His presence still lingers, and swirls, and fills my lungs with heavenly breath. Supernatural, ancient, wise.
This is His temple. His creation, His wisdom, His joy. I feel Him closer here than most anywhere else.
Not only is He our Creator filled with compassionate and kindness, He is All-powerful, Almighty, a Warrior, and King of Kings.
It’s good to remember He alone has ALL authority on Heaven and on Earth. No one can match Him! That’s our Jesus – the One who loves us more than we can fathom. Amen!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT “Never stop praying.”
Isn’t this encouraging? God wants to hear from you! He knows we need Him. He understands that we struggle to give Him control and to trust Him with ourselves, especially those we love.
You are never too much, not enough, too loud, too quiet, too sensitive, too talkative, or too excitable. You are beautiful, worthy, enough, and He delights in you.
I hope you have a place to meet with Him. Somewhere that feels sacred, safe, and that just “fits” with how He made you.
For me, it’s in nature – soaking up His Presence in the woods, the wind, the beach, or a gorgeous mountain meadow. The timeless, ancient, mysteriousness of creation draws me to Him.
Where do you feel closest to God? He is patiently waiting there for you to just come and talk to Him.
Extravagant Hope 