1. to feel an emotion so strongly that you cannot think clearly
2. something that is “too much or too difficult to deal with”
(Both paraphrased from http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/overwhelm)
3. to bury or drown beneath a huge mass
(From Google’s in-browser definition)
When I first read that 3rd definition on the Google search page, I thought it said to ‘drown beneath a huge MESS!’ Let me tell you, that’s often what being overwhelmed feels like! A giant mess suffocating you!
So, what do we do when we feel like we’re drowning? Or when the things we are dealing with are affecting us so strongly that we can’t even think clearly? Or when it looks like whatever is in front of us is simply too much or too difficult to handle?
Well, here’s what I often want to do... Scream. Cry. Hide under my blankets for a few days. Give up. Have a Netflix marathon… Ya know, that kind of stuff! Anyone with me?!
Here’s my breaking news for you today! Feeling this crazy emotional stuff isn’t wrong. It doesn’t make you less of a Christian either. Really! God doesn’t expect us to be super Christian robots that don’t ever feel anything. You can be trusting God and still struggle under the weight of your circumstances. One doesn't negate the other.
I absolutely love that there is a verse in the Bible with the word ‘overwhelmed’ in it. This reminds me that it's ok, even normal. We will all likely feel overwhelmed at some point. Here’s what the verse, found in Psalm 61:2, says.
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
I just love it. This verse doesn’t say… “When my heart is overwhelmed, I’m going to just stop feeling that way because I know that God is going to take care of things.” It says, WHEN my heart IS overwhelmed, I can cry out to God who will lead me through the waves of doubt, defeat, and disaster.
Sometimes it’s ok to let yourself have a good cry, let out those bound up emotions, and then pick yourself up and keep on pushing forward.
There is hope, even under that huge mess that appears to be ready to suffocate you. God does have a plan and is going to be there for you every step of the way! He also understands your intense emotions, and will lead you through those as well. Though the waves may wash over you, you won’t be drowned.
I want to leave you with a few lines from Matt Redman’s song, You Never Let Go. I had this song in mind to end with, and as I was just looking up the lyrics, this EXACT part of the song started playing on my Spotify. Wow. I love those God moments. Ok, here you go. Be blessed my friends, no matter how overwhelmed you feel!
“And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on. A glorious light beyond all compare. And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes. We’ll live to know You here on the earth. …
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on. And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes. Still I will praise You. Still I will praise You!”
Keep holding on for that glorious light!