I see you. I hear you. Trust me, I am you. I know you’re overwhelmed. I know you’re feeling weary, I know you’re feeling like you have an entire weight on your shoulders that you want so desperately someone to carry it for even a moment. I see you, and I understand the weight you’re carrying and your feelings. Believe me—your feelings are completely valid and understood.

But it won’t get any easier if you don’t let the weight come down.

As someone who wants to do everything herself (trust issues, yay!), I find myself overwhelmed and stressed out to the max because I simply need to be “independent.” I need to do things my own way and need to fill my to-do list just for the sake of being busy. Oh, I have a Tuesday night free? Let me schedule in a quick workout or a trip to the grocery store. And if I don’t make it? I get anxious and sad from not doing enough.

I’m not going to feel better if all I’m doing is chasing after what’s next. I’m not going to feel better if I’m continuing to add to my to-do list.

Being busy and tired and overwhelmed and just plain exhausted, it takes me to a passage in the Bible. One of my all-time favorite stories, it tells the story of Mary and Martha. Specifically, in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus was coming into town, and Martha, being a woman of faith, invited Jesus into her home. Her sister, Mary, also being a woman of faith, immediately sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his teaching.

It says, “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 good things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42)

Now, as a person who loves being busy in order to receive validation, I’m appalled. (And a little convicted, tbh.) Martha was doing all of the right things! She was entertaining and preparing a meal for the King of Kings, the Son of God! Who wouldn’t spend their time preparing for a time as this?

But you see, that’s not the point. Martha may have done what was right, but it wasn’t right in her Savior’s eyes. Jesus doesn’t care about what appetizers you serve at the party or how much things you get crossed off your to-do list. Yes, he wants you to work diligently and tend to your work, but He also desires you to sit eagerly at His feet and learn—just as Mary did.

Friends, you can try and do all the things. You can set your goals and work diligently to accomplish them. But do not forget to spend time with your Creator.

As you go into each week, each day, pray earnestly and spend quiet time in prayer with our God. When you feel overwhelmed, throughout your day and your week, seek God out; pray to Him, talk with Him.

This reminds me of another passage in the Bible, and one that is probably used a lot when it comes to feeling anxious or overwhelmed, but it’s just that good and probably a truth that you need in your own life right now.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time, he may exalt you, casting all anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV).

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV).

When you meet your Creator, He won’t ask you if you accomplished all of your goals. When you meet Him, hope that He says, “well done, good and faithful servant.” He cares about your heart.

So, as you go into the next day, know that you have a Father in heaven that cares for your heart, not your to-do list or goals that you want to accomplish.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV).