How do you spell relief?

Do you remember the old Rolaids commercials?  "HOW do you spell relief?"  I'm feeling like I need a little "Rolaids" action in my life right now.  One upheaval after another lately and I'm feeling a bit dragged out, tired, pulled in different directions, financially insufficient and just plain cranky.  I was asleep tonight until a phone call from one of my sons with some not-so-great news.  Now I find myself awake and feeling a bit edgy.

I need to sleep...have to get up early and travel to pick up my other son in the morning. 
Yet I cant seem to stop my mind from rolling and my stomach from churning.  Know that feeling?

So, how to get relief?  The words from this old hymn came to mind as I was laying here trying to sleep and feeling overwhelmed by all that life has dealt to me in the last month or so....


What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there. 
 by Joseph Scriven, 1855

Jesus said  these words....
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (NIV)

...and also these...
" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27 (NIV)

Need some relief?  Pray.  Need to unload some stress?  Pray.  Need to know that Someone's got your back?  Pray.  Turn all those worries, cares, burdens over to the Lord.  Consider how "big" your problems are and how BIG your God is....there's no comparison.  

So, I"m going to pray tonight...to put all my burdens, my fears, my worries, my hurts at the foot of the throne of my God who is bigger than any problem I have.  And I will gladly accept the grace and peace that He offers.  And I might just hum a few bars of that old, precious hymn while I'm at it...