Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1–3 “1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. 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. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.”

David believed he could turn to God in prayer, no matter what. While we know we should turn to God first, sometimes we wait until we have no other option.

Second, David knew God was his rock. Stability is a must during times of overwhelm, and David gives us the reminder to seek God because He is our foundation that never changes.

And finally, David makes it clear that if there is any hope for him to escape the depths of overwhelm that he is experiencing, he must seek God who is higher than he is for relief.

Look at these verses about God’s unchanging character to feel safe, secure, and at peace instead of overwhelmed.

Keep these verses in mind when life seems out of control.

By praying over these verses and even reciting them out loud, you’ll start to focus your mind toward God.

He’ll offer you peace in exchange for your anxiety.

Numbers 23:19 “19 God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

Though you may feel overwhelmed, God never gets overwhelmed.

He does not think like you, nor change his promises toward you. He is constant, steady, and faithful, even when your world is wildly spinning.

The next time you feel anxious from all your responsibilities, feelings, or worries, remember God is watching over you with love. He is big enough to handle everything, so you don’t need to try to handle things on your own.

Psalm 61:2–3 “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. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.”

Crying out to God when you are overwhelmed is a must. That’s the first step to getting better – admitting you can’t do it on your own.

Remember when you cry out to God that you can find safety and refuge with God.

He protects you not only from people who oppose you but also from the devil’s attacks on your sense of peace.

Psalm 93:5 “5 Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.”

It’s important to focus on what’s true and unchanging when your world is in chaos around you. This truth about God’s rules and his reign can be an anchor for you. Turn to God the moment you feel chaotic and stressed, and it will bring you peace.

Psalm 102:25–27 “25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.”

Here’s another verse about God’s unchanging character. All his characteristics stay the same, year after year. He has been faithful to everyone in his creation since time began. He is also faithful to you in your times of trouble. Take comfort knowing that what concerns you so greatly right now is small compared to God’s providence. He will do the heavy lifting in your problems as you hand them over to him.

Isaiah 14:27 “27 For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”

Are you feeling overwhelmed about changing plans?

Does an uncertain future cause you to feel anxious?

You can trust God’s plans to unfold according to His perfect timing and perfect will. Nothing that will happen to you is outside His knowledge or authority. He is watching over you with love. Trust that he is working everything together for your good, even the hardships you experience

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Jeremiah 33:25 “25 Thus saith the Lord; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;”

No matter how overwhelmed you may feel, the Lord will never leave you. He is right there with you in your struggles, never leaving your side. He guards you from the rear, sides, and front. If you feel rejected, take comfort on this promise. His love for you is constant.

Malachi 3:6 “6 For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

This verse is so short and simple, you can memorize it so you’re ready to use it when you are feeling anxious. Reciting this verse out loud helps you declare it to yourself, so you believe the truth rather than lies. It pronounces truth before the devil. Make this verse a regular part of your prayer time. This verse will give you peace when you need it most.

James 1:17 “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

God, in His infinite grace and kindness, is ready and willing to offer you good and perfect gifts when you feel overwhelmed. The Holy Ghost will give you the fruit of the Spirit – including patience and self-control(temperance) – to keep you centered. Galatians 5:22–23“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

When you need these gifts, simply ask him in prayer. He will faithfully supply the help that you need to fight off feelings of being overwhelmed.

Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

This is a comforting verse for the times when you feel like everything is shifting around you. Jesus is right there with you, encouraging you and strengthening you in your fight. He empowers you to fight back against the dark spiritual forces that try to overwhelm you with anxiety, fear, and doubt.

Ephesians 6:10–18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplicat…”

Jesus protects you with his rod and staff, leading you down the right path (Ps. 23). He is always ready to give you his perfect peace that passes all understanding, the kind that lasts (Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 26:3 “3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.”

Perfect peace isn’t just peace sometimes or something to grasp when life is out of whack. In Hebrew perfect peace is “shalom shalom.” It is not just shalom which would be “peace.” It is shalom shalom – it is complete peace.

The second part of this verse is the challenging part. It requires the reader to keep his mind focused on the realization that the Lord is the source of the peace. Keeping the mind “stayed” gives the idea of the mind being stable or established on the foundation of the Lord. It’s complete surrender to the source of peace. When we live in shalom shalom, we live at peace even amidst the overwhelm. Not in our own power, but in the rock on which we rest.

There will always be something in life that will rock our world, knock us off our feet, or overwhelm us in a way we don’t know how to handle. But God’s Word gives us the hope and help we need when we don’t know what to do. You don’t have to keep wrestling with overwhelm. Cry out to the Lord and ask Him to give you peace.