Feeling Overwhelmed?

Sometimes we allow ourselves to become overloaded by carrying things that we shouldn’t. Then, before you know it, you feel overwhelmed because everything is too much for you, and you start experiencing stress, anxiety and fear. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life when we focus on them, but we can live above them and not allow the circumstances of life to affect our hearts.

 “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

In life, bad things happen – there are many opportunities to get stressed out, become anxious and fearful. For some people, these feelings become so overwhelming that they don’t make it through. They give up because they feel that their troubles are far too much to bear – but you don’t have to buckle under the pressure of life! We are not guaranteed a trouble-free life – Jesus told us that we would have tribulation (or trouble) in this world, but just because you have troubling circumstances doesn’t mean you have to be troubled.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1 KJV

The Christian life isn’t a trouble-free life but as a Christian, you can live a troubled-free life. Jesus said let not your heart be troubled. That means that you are the one who determines if your heart is troubled or not. Circumstances may be troubling but you do not have to let them trouble you. Peace doesn’t just happen to you – it’s a natural by-product of your focus (Isaiah 26:3).

You may be experiencing some challenges right now but the good news is that God is with you and is your very present help in trouble.

“¹ God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge!
    You’re a proven help in time of trouble—
    more than enough and always available whenever I need you.
² So we will never fear
    even if every structure of support^[b] were to crumble away.
    We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes,
    moving mountains and casting them into the sea.
³ For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves
    cannot erode our faith in you.
Pause in his presence
⁴ God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams
    bring joy and delight to his people.
    His river flows right through the city of God Most High,
    into his holy dwelling places.^[c]
5 God is in the midst of his city,^[d] secure and never shaken.
    At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn.
⁶ When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms,
    God simply raises his voice
    and the earth begins to disintegrate before him.
⁷ Here he comes!
    The Commander!
    The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side.
    The God of Jacob fights for us!
Pause in his presence
^8–9 Everyone look!
    Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God.
    For he brings both ruin and revival.
    He’s the one who makes conflicts end
    throughout the earth,
    breaking and burning every weapon of war.
¹⁰ Surrender your anxiety!^[e]
    Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
    I am the God above all the nations,
    and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.
¹¹ Here he stands!
    The Commander!
    The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side!
    The God of Jacob fights for us!”

Psalm 46 The Passion Translation