The Best Place to Go When You Are Overwhelmed
If I had to place myself on a scale of 1 to 10 on being emotional . . . I think I’m at about a 9.5!
Rev asked me once in a Bible Study if I remembered some event and before he’d even finished asking the question, I responded, “I don’t know. Did I cry?”
I love to laugh and I’m quick to cry. I feel life.
Because I live my life full of feelings, I think I use the word “overwhelmed” way too quickly and too often.
Sometimes it just fits but when it’s overused it becomes less effective.
The Dictionary defines the word overwhelmed as:
- being completely overcome or overpowered by a thought or feeling.
David wrote:
From the ends of the earth,
Psalm 61:2–3
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.
David said he was overwhelmed but unlike me, I don’t think he threw that word around lightly.
In 2nd Samuel, David wrote that he was overwhelmed by the fear of death but that was when he was being hunted by Saul. In Psalm 55 he wrote that he was overwhelmed by his troubles but that was when he was being betrayed by his son, Absolom. And in Psalm 65, he wrote that he was overwhelmed by sin and the good news of God’s generous forgiveness.
Truthfully, I think it was more than appropriate for David to feel overwhelmed on those occasions. And because he was overwhelmed…
David turned to God!
He surrendered his emotions and asked for help. What a wonderful example he gave to you and me.
Psalm 61:2 has one of my favorite phrases in Scripture . . . “When my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.”
Other translations say:
- Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
- Lead me to the rock that is high above me.
- Lead me to the rock where no one can reach me.
When we turn to God and give him our “overpowered thoughts and feelings” . . . He is faithful to lead our hearts to a place of safety.
David knew, and he wanted everyone to know, that God is always present. (Psalm 139) There is nowhere in heaven or on earth where He is not present. Wherever we are we can say with confidence…
Your hand will guide me,
Psalm 139:10
and Your strength will support me.
You and I can confidently count on God’s presence, loving care, and guidance.
Because…
- He promises that He will never abandon us.
God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Hebrews 13:5
- He promises that He is able to give us the strength we need each day.
All glory to God, who is able to make you strong.
Romans 16:25
- And He promises that when we cry out to Him in faith He lead us to the rock of safety and He will be our safe refuge.
So, whenever we are overwhelmed . . . may we go to God for help and ask Him to lead us to the Rock of our Salvation . . . the Rock who gave His life to give us safety for our souls.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for Help When We’re Overwhelmed
Father, please help me. Too often, I allow the things of life to overwhelm me. I allow busyness to consume my time and distractions to disturb my thoughts. I know that You want me to experience joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so much more.
Being overwhelmed is not Your plan for me. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock of my Salvation. Encourage me to focus my heart and mind on Jesus. Help me turn to Him for strength. And guide me by Your Spirit, that I might manage my time with wisdom and live according to Your will for me.
Please make me a SEEKer of Your TRUTH and help me fill my heart and mind with Your promises. I believe that Your grace is sufficient for whatever this life offers. And I believe I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Like Isaiah, I want to boldly proclaim, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!” (Isaiah 61:10) I love you, Lord. I give myself to You. And I pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
I was blessed by this quote and pray that it blesses you as well…
“God has defeated Satan through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this overwhelming victory, God has also empowered you to overcome any temptation to sin and has provided sufficient resources for you to respond biblically to any problem of life. By relying on God’s power and being obedient to His Word, you can be an overcomer in any situation.” ~ John C. Broger
May the Lord bless you and give you everything you need to overcome when you are overwhelmed.
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Thank you. i needed this today.
Thank you, Glada. I appreciate your encouragement. God bless you!
Oh Deb, are we related? Crying and tears are my heart’s constant companion. I feel all of life so deeply, the good and the bad.
At times, I feel the pain of everyone and everything, as if I am a sponge, absorbing it all to the depths of my soul. As far back as I have memories, I can remember “feeling the need” to cry. I have so often wondered why I hurt so deeply and absorb so much, and cry so often. It hasn’t been easy, but I made peace with it along the way. For in kind, God lets me experience joy to the heights of Heaven! Perhaps it is the ministry that God has chosen for me; to absorb and help carry the pain that others truly do not have the strength to carry. If I am that vessel for God, then I am honored to do it!
One of my favorite quotes ever is:
“Strength is born in the silence of the long suffering heart.” I hope as I cry tears of joy in Heaven, I will hear God whisper, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Isn’t it wonderful to know we’re not alone in our deep emotions. I love that C. S. Lewis quote . . . “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself.” God’s richest blessings and big hugs!
It is so easy to become overwhelmed by all the evil we see around us in this day and time, Deb. Our best defense is to run to God, our rock, to bear our burdens and relieve our distress.
Blessings!
Amen Martha! Amen!
That’s so true, Martha! Running to the one who is everything we need! Blessings and hugs!
Thank you. Exactly what I needed today.
I’m so glad it encouraged you. Thank you for letting me know. God bless you!
Thank you Deb for the great words and prayers to help me when I feel overwhelmed. I will always trust on our Lord Jesus to give me with strength, grace, peace, and patience when I am overwhelmed. He is my rock that will always be with me as long as I seek him with open heart.
Have a wonderful blessed day! ????
There is something so wonderfully reassuring in that truth, Ana! That we can trust Him with our burdens and He will give us everything we need to do each day. Praising God for His all-sufficient grace and for friends, like you! Blessings!
Thank you so much for this wonderful prayer as I needed to hear it today ~ Bless you all .
I’m so very glad it blessed you, Joyce. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. God bless you!