Do you ever tire of having to figure things out?

I watched a recent advertisement from Microsoft that claims the average person makes up to 35,000 daily decisions, and several online sources confirm that data. That number may seem high, but it may not be too far off when you think about all the daily choices you are faced with, from easy to complex. Here are just a few of the things you might need to choose over any given day:

• What to wear

• Which chores to fit in before leaving for work in the morning

• What to make for dinner

• The best elder care option for your parents

The more decisions you need to make, the more tired you get. Experts call this "decision fatigue," the mental weariness from making too many decisions.

Our minds search for the fastest solution to make sense of our world. When too much is going on, our brains must spend extra energy, which causes mental fatigue.

When you're making decisions all day, every day, your mental exhaustion means that your mental tank is empty. Once your brain is worn out from making decisions, you'll drift toward mindless behaviors like internet scrolling or television. You have no concentration or focus, even if you want to pray or engage with the Bible. That robs you of the strength, peace, and guidance God has to give you.

To break the stress habit of too much stuff and to fight decision fatigue, you have to develop a new path forward and you need God power to stay on that path.

In my Stronger Than Stress book and Bible study, one of the spiritual practices is SIMPLICITY. The goal of spiritual simplicity isn't to strip your life down to one cup, one plate, one kind of shampoo, or a single pair of shoes. The practice of simplicity is making decisions through the filter of contentment so that your decisions do not distract you or disrupt your connection with God.

The apostle Paul identifies the goal of the practice of simplicity:

I was not ever in need, but I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13)

Can you say that this is true for you? Contentment in God at all times and in all circumstances is vital to practicing simplicity. Some of us buy up more than we need because we're discontent with our lives. I have compassion for the complex, overwhelming situations that you're in. However, buying more will never make you happier. Only God can fulfill the deep need that you're grappling with today.

REFLECTION TIME: Are you struggling with decision fatigue?

• What are the decisions that tire you out the most during the day?

• How many of your decisions are because you own more than you can manage? (For example: clothes, brands of cereals, shampoo, etc).

• Is there a possession that you would be angry at God if that item went away? (This question points to potential idols in your life.)

If this is a topic that pricks your heart, then I encourage you to lean into developing the spiritual practice of simplicity. Again, this isn't about God asking you to give up everything you own. But, God doesn't want what you have to own you. He desires for you to have mental space to focus on Him so that He can give you what you need..

In the meantime, here are five practical ideas to help you move toward simplicity:

Do you have too many clothes? Create a capsule wardrobe comprising five shirts, five pairs of pants, five layering pieces (e.g., sweaters, blazers, vests), five pairs of shoes, and five dresses. (You can also create a capsule wardrobe for your kids to cut down on laundry.)

Do you have too much clutter in your bathroom or kitchen? Establish a maximum number of household items that tend to get out of control, such as cereal brands, hair care products, streaming subscriptions, and televisions.

Do you hate figuring out what's for dinner? Create and alternate two weekly menus to simplify shopping and dinner choices.

Are you addicted to buying stuff? Institute a one-year fast from purchasing things that you already have too much of, such as body lotions, certain clothing items, and supplies for crafting or other hobbies.

Want to challenge yourself to declutter regularly? Once a month, eliminate or donate the number of items equaling the number of days in that month. (This is the one that I’m doing over Labor Day weekend!)

Some content from today's post was excerpted from the "Decluttering the Yeses" chapter of my Stronger than Stress Book. If you haven't read that chapter, it contains a lot of spiritual instruction and insights—check it out!

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Which parts resonated with you? Where are you suffering from decision fatigue? Which one of the simplicity tips is helpful for you?

Have a great week!

I saw this meme on Sunday evening that made me laugh - and then, I thought “Ugh. That’s so true.”

As I continued to scroll on social media after seeing that post, I noticed the number of people  posting statements like:

This is too much.

I can't take any more.

I'm overwhelmed.

My friend, if you're reading today's devotional and you resonate with any of the statements above, I believe God has orchestrated for you to be here. I switched out this devotional for another because I felt like God wanted me to address the overwhelm and anxiety that so many are facing right now. As you read, allow God's Word take your fear and overwhelm captive by choosing to believe this biblical truth for yourself. Here we go:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline -2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

Let's discuss this verse in light of everything in your life. First, we must be clear on what God is giving and what He has not given.

God does not give us a spirit of fear. It's natural to be afraid when someone's been in an accident, or you have to have surgery. That's normal. Here's the problem: Too many of us live with a fear spirit within us. The spirit of fear looks like always waiting for something to go wrong,  looking for the worst to happen, a lack of gratitude, and a persistent negative attitude. Note: Satan is the one handing out the spirit of fear and feeding you lies that God doesn't care or hear your prayers, so you keep that spirit around.

God gives you power, love, and self-control. Stick with me as we unpack these three incredible gifts from God. These are the gifts that you need to help you face each day!

Power: This isn't human energy or effort; rather, the Greek word that the writer Paul uses describes a power empowered by Holy Spirit-driven power. Some of us are exhausted because we're trying to do everything in our strength. Our lives are too much! It's like trying to stop a train with your bare hands. Get it into your head that you need God's strength, and stop trying to handle life by yourself! (Okay, that felt stern, but I feel like someone needed me to lay it on the line like that - let me know if it was you. I care about you and want God's best for you!)

God's Spirit not only provides everything you need so that you can live for Jesus (2 Peter 1:3), but you also have the confidence that no news report, medical diagnosis, or crisis at home will be too much for you.. The Holy Spirit will provide the strength that you need for all things.

Love: God gives love because He IS love (1 John 4:8). God gives us His love, assuring us that we're not alone in what we're facing. You can't mess up God's love for you! I don't know who I'm speaking to today, but if you've stayed distanced from God because you've been away from church, been too busy to read your Bible, or anything else, God isn't disappointed in you. Come back to Him so you can fully experience the wonder and grace of His love!

Self-Control:  Depending on your translation, this verse might incorporate other phrases for self-discipline, like sound mind or self-control. When the world is overwhelmed, people try to numb out or find relief through unhealthy, unhelpful, or unholy methods. This could look like various addictions to numb or cope. This could also look like stress-related habits such as emotional eating, extreme shopping, excessive caffeine consumption, or too many hours in front of the television or social media.

A lack of control in those areas may not seem as dramatic as addiction, but does that matter if it's still not God's best for you?

God gives us self-control so we don't self-inflict ourselves with sin or habits that distract or hinder us from hearing God's leading. Even as God forgives, He also longs to spare us from the pain or consequences we must deal with after behaviors interrupt our fellowship with Him. Self-control equips us to focus on Jesus's way and experience the blessings of connection with God.

No matter what's happening in your life today, your great hope is remembering what God gives you: power, love, and self-control. He gives you these gifts from Himself, and that's precisely what you need to get through what you're going through.

The question is whether you will choose to continue living in a spirit of fear or open your hands today and pray: God, I want to receive what You have for me. I reject this spirit of fear. You've promised to give me power, love, and self-control. I receive those today. Amen.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU:  As you reflect on today’s verse what resonates with you?