Do the Next Thing

Have you ever felt like you're drowning in a sea of to-do lists and responsibilities? Like the waves of tasks keep crashing over you, and you can barely keep your head above water? I know I have. There are days when I look at everything I need to get done, and it feels completely overwhelming.

My mind starts racing with questions like, "How am I going to get all this done? What if I don't have enough time or energy? What if I disappoint someone by not meeting a deadline?" Before I know it, I'm caught in a whirlpool of anxiety and stress.

But then I remember a quote by Elisabeth Elliot that has become a lifeline for me in those moments. She said, "Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. Whatever that is, just do the next thing. God will meet you there."

These words serve as a powerful reminder. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I don’t have to figure out how to conquer my entire to-do list all at once. I just need to concentrate on the task at hand and take it one step at a time. It’s about being present in the moment and giving my best to the task in front of me.

It's like hiking up a steep mountain trail. If you only look at how far you still have to go to reach the summit, it can feel discouraging and impossible. But if you put one foot in front of the other and concentrate on the next few steps ahead of you, you'll make progress little by little.

The same is true in life. We don't have to have all the answers or see the entire path mapped out. We need to be faithful in taking the next step that God has laid out for us today. He'll give us the strength, wisdom and guidance to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Psalm 37:23-24 reassures us, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."

So the next time you feel swamped by your responsibilities, don't get bogged down trying to figure it all out. Simply ask God, "What's the next thing I need to do?" Then do that one, next thing with all your energy and focus. He'll be right there with you, upholding you and guiding your steps.

Remember, you don't have to tackle the whole mountain today. Just take the next step and trust that God will give you everything you need to keep climbing. One step at a time, one day at a time—that's how we make it to the summit.