We all feel overwhelmed sometimes.
It can be caused by the circumstances of our lives that seem to converge in a perfect storm of pressure to which we feel vulnerable. At other times, we bring it on ourselves by overcommitting, failing to calculate how long something will take, refusing to admit our own limitations. One of life’s ironies is we can get overwhelmed by saying yes to lots of things we love to do! Psychiatrists say there is sometimes even a sense of martyrdom in talking about how overwhelmed we are. It makes us seem important and begs others to be impressed, or at least sympathetic.
But here’s the problem: feeling overwhelmed is not God’s plan for us. Feeling overwhelmed means we think we’re in control—we don’t need anyone else, not even God.
This is a hard-won lesson for me, the ultimate control freak. I can, therefore I should, right?
Wrong!
Here are some scripture passages I’m going to embrace the next time I feel overwhelmed:
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. Psalm 142:3
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Feeling overwhelmed should be a warning sign—a wake-up call—a spiritual canary-in-the-coalmine. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re out of balance and you need to stop, take a deep breath, and let go of the false sense that you’re in control.
But when you let go, you won’t be diving into a perilous freefall.
You’ll be falling, instead, into the everlasting arms of God.
I love this post, Elizabeth and will be sharing it everywhere! I have always struggled with the feeling of being overwhelmed to the point I used to suffer with anxiety. Through the years I have gotten better but it’s still something I’m working to overcome. Because like you say, “it’s not God’s plan for us!” I LOVE the scriptures you provided and will be printing them out and putting them on my wall!
Cari, I’m truly touched that this meant so much to you. That means I was open to God’s leanings and when He has used me, I am so blessed. This one hit close to home for me because I am so familiar with the situation!
I never considered the martyrdom thing. That’s worth a few thoughts! 🙂 And how is it you reach into my mind just when I’m feeling exactly like what you’re writing about? I haven’t blogged much, written about nil, edited next to nothing. I just don’t feel like I have the energy. I tell myself sometimes, “Just embrace and let it go.” Good reminder that I don’t have to push push push all the time.
Karen, this post did not come out of a vacuum. While we were at our daughter’s home over the holidays, I realized how rested I felt. Then, of course, that made me realize how tired and stressed out I must have been without even realizing it. So when I got back I did some soul-searching and have take a few things off my plate that I had considered really important before. Those things you’re worried about NOT doing? They’re not going away if you ever want to pick them back up again, but right now you’ve got some extremely worthy goals on which to focus, and you can’t do it all. Sometimes I THINK I can do it all — and maybe I can, but not at the same time :-).
I can’t do it all. I realized that about a decade ago. Doesn’t mean I don’t try to do it all! But lately, end of last year, early this year, I was just BURNED OUT. Right now I can’t even decide which project to pick up … poetry? blog? memoir? None of them talks to me right now. So, I’m expecting another weekend of lazy with a dash of ‘meh’ and a sprinkling of ‘don’t give a s**t.’ Thanks for being there, as always E.
Ahhh, my friend, you’re judging yourself too harshly. When the time is right, those projects will call to you and you’ll be able to pick them back up again with renewed energy. In the meantime, trust that your creativity is percolating under the surface while you take a break and a rest (or at least a change of pace), and it will erupt again when the time is right, just like a crocus bulb in spring!
Love listening/reading to you two talk. Yes, yes yes, I have those days (weeks?) of ‘meh’ too. They’re scary, because you don’t see the light ahead, the end to the fog and the beginning of the light again. But I promise, Karen, with your creative abilities, the light is not far away.
Thanks, Pamela! I hope everyone will hop over to your blog (click on her name above) and enjoy the wonderful perspectives you offer on life and love!
Thank you, Elizabeth, for this reminder to stop and take a breath. It’s advice that can stand repeating, because it is so easily forgotten. But oh the contentment that results when you remember to let the Lord lead you and protect you and guide you. You, Elizabeth, are truly a Connection Messenger.
You made my day with that beautiful comment, Annette! Thank you so, so much!