Being Overwhelmed (Daily Encouragement Series)

Brian Sullivan   -  

Overwhelmed can be a very easy place to get to in normal life, add a worldwide pandemic and it seems to be ever present. We can be overwhelmed by worry of health, the economy, work, being alone, kids, school, and a myriad of other effects that are being felt all around the world. 

This encouragement from John Lynch and our friends at TrueFace reminds us that when we are overwhelmed we don’t need to just keep it to ourselves and do more.  We need to  stop, be with God and helped by others to gain objectivity*:

Being overwhelmed can scare us. It yells out, “This time you’re probably going to be destroyed. Your only hope is to work harder and harder. Nobody can really help you. They’ll just feel sorry for you. They’re all doing their lives without getting overwhelmed. What’s your problem anyway? When this happens, we’re often tempted to hide away from those who could protect us. Those friends are waiting to stand with us and help us work through the season. 

When we get overwhelmed, we’ve got to stop long enough to gain objectivity. This best happens when we can get alone with God. We slow down for a moment. It feels like that’ll just get us further behind, but it allows us perspective so that we can work smarter, not just harder. It reminds us that we cannot protect ourselves, that it’s good to allow committed friends access to our lives. 

We’re once again surprised to find out they don’t want to scold us or feel sorry for us. They want to help us not feel overwhelmed. 

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

 

When you feel overwhelmed: Stop long enough to gain objectivity through 1. getting with God 2. talk to others who will help you work through the season. 

*From “Trust for Today: 365 Days of of Encouragement” by Trueface; day 4.25