On Wednesday our daughter’s room was trashed. No exaggeration, just utterly destroyed. Usually, I would go in and clean it, but it was clear that it had been intentionally destroyed. I felt there was a lesson here, so I told her she needed to clean it before she could play with our neighbors (meanest mom ever).
She cried in overwhelm. “Where do I even start?” she begged.
Overwhelm is something we all feel it at times. Some of us feel it financially, while others feel it emotionally. Stuff or clutter overwhelms some of us, while decision making affects others. Grief is overwhelming and weird/tense relationships can be overwhelming at times too. Sometimes the dishes, laundry, or day-to-day life feels overwhelming. Maybe your house or life feels like our daughter's room, and it makes you ask: "Where do I even begin?"
Whatever overwhelm we may feel is just a drop in the ocean for God. Mayo Clinic has linked overwhelm and anxiety together. This is no surprise, right? Overwhelm is crippling and so is anxiety at times. I think they go hand-in-hand, at least for me personally. Take the overwhelm we feel and add in all of the noise that blares from all angles, all of the time: Social media, the upcoming election, the news, school shootings, inflation, our growing bodies (hello all the weight loss ads), and just the general noise level of each of our homes. With those things, it creates the perfect circumstances to be anxious.
Do a quick search of anxiety in the Bible app or on Google (related to Scripture) and you’ll probably find Philippians 4:6-8, which reads, “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Now, when someone quoted this to me when I was in the thick of overwhelm and grief after Carson died, she lost me at “Do not be anxious about anything…” Really, how could I not be anxious?? However, what she and I were missing in the conversation was Matthew 11:28. In this verse, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” It's out of our control at times to "not feel anxious...," especially with all of the added noise. But God, right? He can control it.
Friends, overwhelm is a heavy burden that is absolutely crippling. However, when we take one tiny, baby step forward and focus on just a portion of the room (or problem), we can start to make a positive change. Even if it feels strange, we have to start somewhere: Find some time to talk to Jesus this week. Tell Him what's bothering you or weighing on you. He also said to, “...take His yoke and learn from Him, because He is gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for ourselves” (Matthew 11:28). When we are able to pair this with the Philippians verse above, we are able to come to Jesus in prayer and petition, letting our requests be made known. As we share these things with the Lord, we will find peace that surpasses any overwhelm, anxiety, or related emotion that stops us in our tracks. We will find that through this prayer our faith is activated, and our heart's desires are gently shaped, not towards our perfect plans but God's. Now that we know where to start, let’s focus this week on giving it to the Lord in prayer, laying it all at the foot of the cross, and walking in the freedom we are offered through our Jesus.
Have a great weekend, friends! If you need prayer, please reach out.
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