There are times, no matter how strong we are…no matter how much faith we have… the weight of the world is on our shoulders. The mountain won’t move. The miracle isn’t coming. Nothing is changing and attacks seem to be coming from everywhere.
So many feelings swirl around our heads. I’m buried. I’m drowning.
I am overwhelmed.
It’s usually a time we feel weary. We’re tired. It’s hard to think straight, our eyes brim with tears over nothing at all, and we feel like we’re all alone on this huge planet.
But can I tell you a secret? We’re not alone. Even when that friend doesn’t answer the phone. Or the next one. Or the next one. We get our spouse’s voicemail, and our mom isn’t answering her texts. Where is everybody?
Even then, we’re not alone. God sees, and He whispers to our hearts, “Have you tried asking Me? I’d love to help!”
Calling the friend that makes us laugh. Leaning on our husband or wife. Wanting to talk to our mom. These are all good things. But they fall short of the BEST thing we can do when our heart is overwhelmed.
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.(Psalm 61:2-3)
There’s only One person who bore the weight of the world on Himself on a tree so that we wouldn’t have to. Let’s say His sweet Name – Jesus! Just saying His name brings peace.
When our emotions are a wreck, the last thing we want to do is pray. Be quiet. Wait on God. We want something immediate. Something tangible. Someone we can hear with our ears and see with our eyes. We crave a hug that touches our skin and dives into our soul.
But if we do what this psalm says and cry out to Him. Run to the Rock. Make Him our safe refuge, we’ll be pleasantly surprised that our enemies can’t reach us.
Oh, the situation may not immediately change. The mountain looks just as immovable. We may still be waiting on that miracle.
Nothing looks different on the outside, but the peace and security that calms the chaos in our souls will change everything. Will give strength to walk on another day. It will breathe new life into our hopes and help us hold on to our Anchor.
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:16)
Take a deep breath. Now take another.
Now say this with me, “Father, HELP! I’m drowning. My heart is overwhelmed with (insert care here). Come. I may not feel You but I know You are here. Soothe my weary soul and breathe strength into my dry bones. I don’t see how things can change. I don’t understand why it hasn’t changed yet. But I know this…You are faithful Who promised. You spoke it. You will perform it. I trust You. You are good, and You have good plans for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Take another deep breath, put on some worship music, and soak Him in. When we pray, when we worship, when we focus on Him, He comes. And His presence changes everything.
