Is it just me, or does anyone else feel just a little
overwhelmed at present? Are you struggling with trying to juggle all the things
going on in your life? Do you have too many little rubber balls flying through
the air and none of them seem to be landing properly where they should?
I think that often, as women, we get that ‘overwhelmed’
feeling. We try to be the best mothers and wives and homemakers we can be. Some
of us have work outside the home that takes precious time away from the endless
list of chores that looms overhead as we walk through the door. We constantly
feel pulled in every direction and we long for a piece of quiet. Not just peace
and quiet. But a piece of quiet. Just a moment. Just a few breaths. To be able to get off the merry-go-round of
life for just a little while and breathe. To enjoy that sunset. To hear the
song of the birds. To watch the waves crash onto the shore and take in the warm
salty air.
Life gets so busy and those peaceful moments never
come. We long to have our burdens lifted and the things weighing on our minds
taken away. We think that if we could only go away for a few days holiday, that
things will be better. Life will look brighter.
But if we really think practically and reasonably, we
know that although a holiday is nice, the jobs are still there when we return.
The overwhelm is there waiting to descend.
Now, I’m not trying to depress you here. But I am a
realist. Let’s not beat about the bush, ladies. This here is the facts. Life is
a struggle. Overwhelm will come. But how do we keep the overwhelm from
overwhelming us? How do we keep our circumstances from defining us? How do we
live in chaotic situations without the chaos becoming part of our being?
We do it with the Lords help! You knew I’d say that,
didn’t you? Yes. The only way we can keep from being totally overwhelmed is by
God’s peace. His perfect peace.
I don’t have any great 10 step programs to lead you
through or any quick fixes that promise to bring you instant peace. But I do
know, through many trying experiences that God is able to do exceeding above
all that we ask or think.
Some of you know that I went through a dark period of
overwhelm and anxiety a couple of years ago. What was it that lifted me up from
my pit of despair? The one thing that really pulled me through was the Word of
God. It was God’s promises that upheld me and drew me to Him closer than ever
before.
I’d like to share some of these beautiful Words of
scripture with you. I know that most likely, every woman that is reading this
post is struggling with something. And if you’re not, then you will. Facts are
facts. The Bible is clear on this point.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world.
This verse doesn’t say that you ‘might’ have troubles.
It says you WILL. It’s inevitable. But, aren’t you glad that’s not the end of it?
The verse goes on to say, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Praise
the Lord! We have an overcomer! And if I could read this aloud to you right
now, I would shout that last statement. WE HAVE AN OVERCOMER!
Here are some precious verses found in the Word of God
that may be of some comfort to you as you struggle through the storms of life.
I pray that God would speak through them to bring peace to your overwhelmed
heart.
God gives rest for our souls
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all [ye] that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
God will guard our hearts and minds
Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but
in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God is a firm foundation
Psalm 61:2 - From the end of the earth will I cry
unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher
than I.
God brings peace
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.
God is not the author of confusion
1 Corinthians 14:33 - For God is not the author of confusion, but
of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
God will never forsake you
Deuteronomy 31:8 - And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before
thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear
not, neither be dismayed.
God is strong enough to carry your burdens
1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for
he careth for you.
God will uphold you
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
God will renew your strength
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
There are so many more and maybe in another post I
will share a few more gems, but I want to leave you with the verse that spoke
to me more than any other verse throughout my time of extreme overwhelm. This
verse became so dear to me as I cried it aloud to the Lord, over and over again,
on a daily basis. A very tear stained notecard sits on my desk as a reminder of
God’s goodness to me and His deliverance at my lowest point.
Isaiah
43:2
When
thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt
not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Not only is Christ our overcomer, but we too can be
overcomers. We can hold fast to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ when trials
come. We can stand strong in the face of battle. We can put on the armour of
God and stand against the devil. We can face the overwhelm and triumph over it.
We don’t have to live defeated lives. We are not fighting FOR victory, we are
fighting FROM victory! God has already won! We just need to be reminded of who
is fighting for us and who our overcomer is.
We can pass through the waters and through the fire
and God will keep us in the safety of his encircling arms of love. He will hold
us fast. God alone can keep you from heading into an anxiety spiral that pulls
you down further than you want to go and keeps you longer than you want to
stay.
The only way you can fully grasp hold of God’s peace is
to totally trust Him. To give ALL your burdens to Him. To lay ALL your cares on
Him. Lay them at His feet and step away. Leave them there. Don’t pick them back
up. Let God lift the weight off your shoulders. Hold to His promises. Read them.
Meditate on them. Share them.
And as God brings that blessed peace back into your
life and you feel the overwhelm melt away and the joy grow, give Him all the
glory and praise Him for the wonderful and awesome God that He is.
Psalm 109:30 - I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
I’ll leave you to read the words of this beautiful
hymn, written in 1906 by Ada Habershon.
He Will Hold Me Fast
(When I Fear My Faith Will Fail)
For my love is often cold,
He must hold me fast.
I am precious in His sight,
He will hold me fast;
Those He saves are His delight,
He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost,
Christ will hold me fast;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
