Have you ever felt Overwhelmed?

It is easy to feel overwhelmed in the world we live in, with the constant busyness of everyday life. Between getting ready for work, preparing children for school, paying bills, and finishing school, the list goes on and on. This struggle can be even more challenging for single parents. So, how can we cope with feeling overwhelmed?

The Bible provides insight into this experience. David cries out to the Lord in Psalm 61:1-2: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” When life feels like it is closing in, the Bible addresses those feelings directly. David declares, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). This verse teaches us two important lessons: first, even the strongest among us can be burdened by life’s challenges, and second, there is a Rock higher than our chaos — God Himself. Feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weak faith; it’s an invitation to lean more heavily on the One who never wavers.

In Psalm 55:22, David offers a strategy for those feeling burdened: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” The word “cast” doesn’t mean to gently place; it means to throw with force, to hurl your worries off your shoulders. God does not expect you to manage your burdens on your own; He asks you to transfer them to Him. You were not designed to carry the weight of the world — He is.

If you ever think that God can’t understand your exhaustion, remember Jesus in Gethsemane, who said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Even the Son of God reached that breaking point. But instead of retreating, He prayed and surrendered, allowing His Father to bear the weight He could not carry in His humanity. This moment shows that feeling overwhelmed does not indicate a lack of faith; it simply reflects human experience.

Additionally, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is not merely a suggestion; it is a compassionate command. The exchange is simple yet profound: your heavy load for His holy rest. The catch? You must let go of control to make this trade successful; you cannot hold onto the reins and receive rest simultaneously.

Finally, Philippians 4:7 reminds us of the outcome: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is not logical; it is divine. It may not always change your circumstances, but it transforms you in the midst of them, protecting your mind when your thoughts spiral and your heart when your emotions falter.

So, when life feels overwhelming, remember: you were never meant to be the hero of your own story. You were meant to rest in the Hero who has already conquered the storm. The Bible does not shy away from the struggle; it brings purpose to it. Being overwhelmed is not the end of your strength; it is the beginning of God’s.