Overcommitted, Overloaded, and Overwhelmed?

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

Remember when multitasking was a new catch phrase for an not-so new idea of doing multiple things at the same time? What was new was the sheer number of things we try to balance at any given time. We talk on the phone, read our emails, eat our lunch, plan an upcoming vacation, ask Siri about the weather all while we are driving. Or maybe we are “just doing the next thing” when all around you seems way too much. But while we all want to be the person who can do it all, we can also get overwhelmed while we are trying to do it all.

There will be those days, months or even years, when everything comes crashing down on you: when all the balls you have in the air start to fall. When your to-do list is longer than your life expectancy. So what do you do when you are feeling overwhelmed? The short answer…you pray.

God promised that He will take our burdens upon Him, and teach us to find peace. That is often what we need, but we never seem to get there because there is always something new to worry about. In those times, remember Isaiah 41:13: “For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

God will help us when we are overwhelmed. Pray and ask God to help you trade your worry and stress for complete reliance on Him. Every time you start to feel overwhelmed, remember your limits and accept your insufficiencies, and learn to trust God as Jehoshaphat did.

We can rely on God’s strength and pray for peace, knowing that He has promised to help us, regardless of the situation. Faith is taking some positive action based on God’s Scriptures, even when our circumstances look like the forces of evil are going to win the battle.

Discussion Questions:

Do you try to help God run your life? How does that work out for you?
The disciples had a difficult time understanding the need for Christ to die and were overwhelmed by Jesus’ betrayal, trials, and crucifixion. How do you think you would have felt in their shoes?
Do you have people in your life who will be there with you in the midst of trials?
What can you do to remember scripture before and during the times you feel overwhelmed?