I was sitting in my car in the middle of a parking lot on the edge of campus, alone, staring off into the distance. I had just left the registrar’s office. I had just paid some fees for my next set of classes, needed a new textbook and rent was due in two days, and I was going to be short. My mind was racing … what was I going to do? I was out of options. I had exhausted my resources. I had failed. I couldn’t make rent. How embarrassing. What would happen when that check bounced in two days or didn’t get turned in at all? What else would I come up short on? I had to admit I needed help, that I had gone past my limit and capacity. I reached for my phone and, instinctively, dialed my dad’s phone number. He picked up cheerfully, with the same greeting he always meets me with when it’s my name that lights up his phone screen. I immediately burst into tears. Concerned, he says my name again and again between brief pauses until I calm down enough to gather my thoughts. I mumble, “I need help.” He responds, “Okay, how can I help?” I tell him I’m so sorry, and I hate that I even have to ask. It will never happen again, but I’m going to come up short when bills are due for the month. Without hesitation, he asks, “How much do you need?” in a tone that shows me he cares and is burdened by the state I’m in. He longs to meet my needs and he’s moved to action immediately because he knows and loves his kid.
Overwhelmed. We’ve all felt it. It seems like we can’t get past what’s right in front of us. Our mind races and our heart rate goes up. Things seem hopeless, we’ve been pushed past our limit and it’s caught up to us. What if others notice? What if I can’t overcome the consequences of falling short? Or what if this tragedy has lingering implications? What if these emotions or circumstances never change? What if this failure or loss bleeds over into other areas of my life? What will I do then?
Being overwhelmed is a far too familiar feeling for us, and that’s been true since the fall. Overwhelmed by their guilt and shame, Adam and Eve hid from God. David cried out to God from inside a cave, alone and surrounded by his enemies. Exasperated by mundane tasks and her own barometer of right and wrong, with the Savior of the world in her living room, Martha complains to Jesus.
When have you felt overwhelmed? Maybe it’s been when bills are due, a child or spouse is sick, a friendship has been tried or work feels like a dead-end. I hate to admit that all too often, I am overwhelmed by the world around me, things that are temporal, not eternal. It’s important to remember that we are made for eternity. You were made for a relationship with Christ. A relationship you can’t earn and a relationship that is vital to have life to the full. When was the last time you meditated on the power and grace of God? Have you ever been overwhelmed, and by that, I mean, in the best way, by God’s kindness and character? Have you ever been overwhelmed by the fact that the God of the universe wants and pursues a personal relationship with you, that he loves you and will meet all your needs?
Emotions are tricky. Part of the reason why we struggle to deal with our emotions in a healthy way is because we label them as either totally good or totally bad. Emotions are designed to be indicative, not authoritative. God gave us our emotions to help us see ourselves rightly. To help us understand what we value and whether our hearts align with his or not. But, instead of considering our emotions through an eternal lens and using them to think about Christ and whether or not we’re being a good image bearer, we settle for focusing on the temporal and, instead of leaning into sanctification, we choose behavior modification.
Be encouraged. It’s only by the grace of God that we’re not all constantly overwhelmed. He gives us enough grace for each day. Apart from Christ, things really are overwhelming. Our sin, the brokenness around us and our God-given limits can even overwhelm us if not viewed rightly.
My encouragement to you, my challenge, would be that the next time you feel overwhelmed, instead of longing for knowledge or control or feeling bad that you are overwhelmed, see it as an opportunity to stop and pray. Pause and acknowledge that God is in control, all-knowing and unlimited, and you are not. Being overwhelmed is an opportunity to take your burdens and concerns to a God who cares. Put off worry and put on peace. Put off independence and self-reliance and put on submission to and dependence on God. Put off control and put on faith.
How different would our lives look if, instead of being overwhelmed by our circumstances, we were overwhelmed by the fact that God is for us? What if our comfort and peace were unshakeable because of that reality?
That is my prayer for you and me.