Why do things seem to happen all at once?

Last week, I moved into a new house. This week, I leave for a foreign country. Yesterday, I waved goodbye to my sister's family as they drove away to their new home in Tennessee. In two weeks, my mom will undergo invasive surgery. Today, I'm nursing a virus out of my system.

I list it all off to make sense of all the newness, change, stress. Some of these changes are exciting, but the excitement can get easily buried beneath the uncertainty. It's hard to find a sense of stability and calm when everything around me feels like it's in flux. 

Are you feeling the same way today? Overwhelmed by changes, both good and bad? Maybe you feel powerless. Perhaps you feel detached—disconnected from the things and people around you, including yourself. 

If this rings true for you, there is hope. When you feel like you can't handle all the big changes and challenges in your life, God says he can carry them for you. The Bible tells us that, when we are overwhelmed, we can give our anxiety to God. This doesn't mean that we won't still have those moments of uncertainty. It doesn't mean that we won't feel disappointed or upset about big changes in our lives. But it does mean this:

You can bring your worries to God.

Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7

You can find rest in God's promises. 

Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28

You can count on God to guide you.

He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths,
    as he has promised.
Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
    I will not be afraid, Lord,
    for you are with me.
Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me. — Psalm 23:3-4

You can ask the Lord for strength. 

But those who trust in the Lord for help
    will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not get weary;
    they will walk and not grow weak. — Isaiah 40:31

You can trade your fears for peace. 

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. — John 14:27