Overwhelmed!

Do you feel overwhelmed? Is your to-do-list bursting at it seams making you feel inefficient and unproductive? Could it be work deadlines, unmet targets, family wahala or even boredom? That was me last week super overwhelmed dealing with a number of issues. Whew!, life can just feel like a ‘mumbo jumbo’ sometimes causing a lot of frustration and anxiety.

I went seeking counsel from a woman I look up to who confessed that she also had apparently felt the exact same way the previous week. She said a prayer for me and offered tips on how she managed her situation and it went like this:

“Every time you feel a tinge of overwhelm, pause and breathe deeply, then rest. Proceed to ask yourself the following questions:

i. What is the most important thing I should be doing right now?

ii. Is it really important to me or it’s a people pleasing tendency?

Ask for help if you can and say no when you need to. You can’t save everyone!

Incidentally, my Bible plan last week solely focused on being anxious and how to deal with it based on scriptures and God’s promises. We’re living in times with so many uncertainties and unpredictable circumstances hitting us pale. There is the likelihood to feel overwhelmed, stressed, worn out or depressed. As a child of God it will be a disaster to give the devil a foothold to manipulate you based off of what happens around you.

Ever so often, we need to remind ourselves of God’s promises to spur us on in our walk with Him. Let’s break these up into six points:

1. Be anxious for nothing; do not worry.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 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. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:4-8 KJV

“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.” John 16:33 KJV

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV

2. Hope in Christ: Develop a deeper understanding of God and a richer relationship with Him.

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Romans 15:33 KJV

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 KJV

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13 KJV

3. Receive the peace of God: Don’t allow your circumstances determine the level of peace you experience at any given point in time. No matter the storm that you are facing, peace is possible. Your storms reveal your level of trust in God.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:37-41 KJV

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 KJV

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

4. Have hope even in the darkness

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11 KJV

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalms 56:8 NLT

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:4-5 NLT

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”” Revelation 21:3-5 NLT

5. Find rest in God

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT

““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:25-34 NLT

6. Praise through the storm

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 NLT

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4 NLT

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” Philippians 3:1 NLT

An overload of negative or stressful thoughts can create a general sense of impending doom. But even when admitting your gratitude to God as a forced act of discipline, you will often experience the weight begin to lift. The principle of praising God even through pain is a pathway to His life-giving presence, which offers us peace.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” 1 John 4:18 NLT

““Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”” Psalms 46:10 NLT

Whatever battle you’re facing with anxiety, the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is living in you. And He didn’t give you a spirit of fear. 

That doesn’t mean that if you’re struggling with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, stressed or even depressed you don’t have enough faith. It doesn’t mean that you’re not trusting God enough. In fact, the selfsame situation could be the exact thing that helps you learn to rely on and trust in God. The audio below greatly helped me worship and realign my perspectives. Let it bless you too🙏🏼

I pray for you that you find strength in God’s word to navigate whatever circumstance that may be causing you to feel overwhelmed. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ever sufficient for you. May nothing cause you to be distracted from His divine will and purpose for your life. Never forget that His love for you is unmatched. Remain blessed.

Love, Esinam.