I was overwhelmed.

I had jumped into a six-week health program that included all the bells and whistles – an app that included daily workouts, recipes, and calorie tracking; a personal coach to help keep me on the rails and encourage me on this journey; and a Facebook group dedicated to sharing daily nuggets of nutritional truth.

I was excited and expectant.

But by day four, I noted that my initial enthusiasm was being overshadowed by all the weekly recipe and menu choices at my fingertips.

There were so many! I felt paralyzed with all the options.

As I sat in my rocking chair one morning mulling the situation over, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me to KISS – Keep It Simple, Saint.

I opened the app and took another look at the meal recommendations.

So many of the recipe options included basic foods that I already had in my house and prepared on a routine basis – lean meats; fish; fruits and veggies.

While the recipe suggestions offered embellishments and new ways of cooking these items, my saving grace was the fact that I could continue to simply cook these foods the way I had been and it would still count for this program.

A wave of relief washed over me.

I just needed a change in perspective and a reminder to keep it simple.

I have frequently needed a similar reminder in my faith walk, as well.

Maybe you can relate?

How often, when Jesus invites me to cast all of my cares on Him, do I continue to worry?

How many times have I tried to earn my salvation when I already know that Jesus paid it all?

How often have I tried to solve or fix things in my own strength when Jesus beckons me to trust Him?

As humans, we seem to have a propensity towards complicating things, don’t we? The simplicity of surrendering all – our worries, cares, family, job, and even our very lives – feels counterintuitive to us.

Yet, God invites us to do just that. Surrender all and KISS.

And as we do, He exchanges our worries with His peace; our struggles with His strength; and our inclination to overthink and complicate matters with His simplicity.

“This is the work of God – that you believe in the One He has sent.” (John 6:29 CSB)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!