“But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Here we find ourselves on Monday morning sitting at the dining room table, sunlight on our faces through the window glass. God is good, but my heart, my heart is anxious. Mondays have a way of bringing daunting questions from a plethora of areas in our lives. Will I make rent this month? Are the bills paid on time? What will we have for dinner tonight? What errands do I need to get done this week? How will I ever make that deadline when I don’t even know where to start? Will the babies ever stop crying? Will my husband finally see that I can’t raise the kids all alone and need his involvement? Will I find a job this week? How will my fiance and I start our lives together when we don’t have enough for a wedding, honeymoon, and our first home?

Sweet sister, I don’t know what battles Monday bring you. But what I do know is this: Ultimately, we are not in control. I know, that may not be the most reassuring thing I can tell you on a Monday morning when life’s duties won’t stop calling your name. I know what it is like. In fact, I am in the thick of life’s worrisome demands and wrestle within my own self with where to even begin.

Let’s just put a stop to the anxiety for one second and wrap our minds around the only duty we really need to take care of. Well, at least first and foremost that is, because let’s be honest – on this side of heaven, we need to make a living and be good stewards of what has been entrusted to us. So first, let the main thing be the main thing. Get that old, dusty bible off of your bedside table and actually read it. God wants to speak to you today.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

These two verses from Proverbs always ground my anxious thoughts and put them rightside up again. This one thing is absolutely true – God is the One in control, not us. Okay, okay, we are women here and we have a knack for needing to fix things, problem solve, and try to put impossible pieces together all because… we…love…control. Just ask my husband, he will surely testify to this.

In fact, while we are on the subject for a moment, generally speaking, women yearn to be in control. In Genesis chapters 2-3, God ordained Adam to lead Eve – not the other way around. That was the divine order that was given. Not to say that women are not great leaders, because women have an amazing ability to give directions, delegate tasks, and complete assignments. Women are truly great teachers, leaders, trainers, counselors, and have a God given ability to manage many things at once. It is who we are.

God knew Adam needed a helpmate comparable to him. Eve was created in God’s own image with attributes and qualities very unique to women. However, when she listened to the serpent at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (forbidden by God to take of), she made a very costly mistake by trying to be in control and lead her husband into it as well. Her choice to disobey resulted in their exile of the Garden of Eden, a place where they fully enjoyed the presence and goodness of God. In God’s own words, “Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you” (Genesis 3:16b). Eve’s fleshly desire was to rule and take the reins, and so it is with us women after her.

Like Eve was created after Adam to be his helpmate, with him in the lead, our very calling as women is to yield and surrender to the divine order of God. How do women cope with the fact that as good as we can be at fixing things and solving problems (not always! Remember the Garden of Eden), there are just some things we cannot control as hard as we try?

Do you remember Mary and Martha? Luke 10:38-42 describes the differences of mindsets that Martha and Mary, two women who worshipped and loved the Lord Jesus, had.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Martha reminds me so often of myself. I need to get things in order around the house before I even think of conversation with my guests. My chores need to be done, the errands finished, and I have to constantly clean up as life happens to prevent a total disaster in my home. Jesus is not saying that Martha’s work is invalid. He is not condemning her for the duties she takes so deep to heart and owns as hers. Nor is He answering Martha’s question with “No, I do not care that you are serving alone with no one to help you.” After all, Jesus is the most loving being in all existence as 1 John 4:16 declares that, “God is Love.” Jesus is simply trying to shift Martha’s mindset on the things that matter most, before earthly things come into play.

As we conclude this short devotional, we read about three women: Eve, Martha, and Mary. Let us learn from Mary’s example which Jesus commended. Mary surely saw the things around the home that needed to be done. But instead of occupying her mind with the endless tasks that awaited her and her sister, she drew near to Jesus. I believe the cares of life even threw Mary to sit at His feet to find comfort, companionship, and courage to take on the next thing.

Sister, I know what it is like to feel so overwhelmed with worry. Today, my worry reminds me of my uttermost need to throw myself at Jesus’s feet for the same reasons Mary must have. I am sure your heart needs comfort from your worries. I am sure you need companionship to navigate all of life’s hardships. And I am certain that you need courage to take on the next thing today. We cannot muster up these things all alone. We need Jesus.

Rest in God. Pray to Him. Ask Him for His help. Confess your misguided efforts to try to control. Surrender to His will.

Friend, let’s admit our limitations today as women and confess that Jesus is the remedy to all of life’s worries. Mondays are hard. So start with Jesus. Start with reading His word with a willing heart, letting Him speak to you and have the control that you and I were never meant to. Let Him lead your heart to trust His plans. Let Him lead your Spirit to surrender your anxieties. Let Him lead your feet to walk into a closer understanding of the One who is in control. Let Him lead your hands to commit to the works He tell you to today. Remember Who it is writing your story and has your very best interests at heart. Praying for you today, dear sister.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being in control. I admit I cannot carry the load of my life today. I trust in Your goodness. And I surrender to Your plans.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.