Stomp out the feeling of being OVERWHELMED!
Do you feel like you have so much going on that you’re struggling to cope with it all? Or, are you going through something stressful that’s making it difficult for you to function? These are some of the signs of being overwhelmed.
When overwhelmed, a person is flooded by thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations—often related to a specific problem—that can be difficult for you to manage.
Signs of Symptoms of being Overwhelmed
• Irrational thoughts – Issues become magnified; you lose the ability to keep things in a proper perspective.
• A freeze response – You feel paralyzed and unable to function.
• Disproportionate reactions – You panic because you can’t find your keys
• Withdrawal – You isolate yourself from family and friends. You find it hard to pray
• Pessimism – Helpless and hopeless about the situation.
• Mood changes – You feel angry, irritable or anxious.
• Cognitive fatigue - You feel confused and have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and solving problems.
• Physical symptoms – Rapid heartrate, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, cramps, an upset stomach, or other aches and pains.
Reasons why you feel Overwhelmed
• Loss of a loved one.
• Excessive workload or a stressful work environment.
• Conflict in personal relationships.
• A breakup or divorce.
• Financial problems.
• Health concerns.
• Traumatic experiences.
• Environmental or political issues.
It is so important to realize the signs of being overwhelmed and change your perspective. So many times we leave God out of this equation. We continue to use our human minds (rationalize) to make sense out of situations that we are already viewing with the wrong perspective.
Only through God’s Word and creating a perspective from God’s point of view will the feeling of being Overwhelmed subside!
SCRIPTURES TO RELIEF YOUR OVERWHELMED EMOTIONS:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11, NKJ: To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to cry, and a time to laugh; A time to be quiet, and a time to speak up; a time to war, and a time for peace. Everything is appropriate in its own time.
We must be careful in how we plan our days, that is why God has commanded us to pray about all things. The devil wants to keep us busy, with little time to commune with our Lord. Remember God gives rest to his loved ones; it is up to us to accept it.
Positive thought: God has promise to give me peace, John 14:27 says; “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” So, if I accept this, I know there is rest and peace in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 127:1-2(TLB): Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with guards will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 39:6(TLB): We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.
Remember, on our deathbed, no one ever cries out, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”
Positive thought: God does not want me to run myself ragged. He has said in Matthew 11:28-30; Come to me and I will give you rest all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke my burden is light, and my yoke is easy. So, I will rest in the assurance that all good and perfect things come from God, and since I am his child, He has said that He would not withhold all good thing from those who Love Him.
Psalm 29:11(TLB): The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Isaiah 40:29(NKJ); He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Philippians 4:13(NKJ); I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Positive thought: Even when my body and mind feel tired and overwhelmed, I can speak God’s word and gain strength.
A Busy Persons Prayer:
Psalm 90:12, 17(TLB): Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom…and may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
Bottom line:
God has given us so many things to help us live fulfilling, joyful, peaceful lives, yet we often reject these things. God gives us time to rest and enjoy the goodness of God and God’s gifts to us, but we refuse to take it. Instead of looking at His blessings, we continue to focus on all the issues of life. Instead of thanking Him for His protection and provisions, we continue to stay stuck in what-if scenarios. Instead of speaking God’s Word about our situations, we rationalize if I can handle this potential problem.
God made the world and everything in it. He is Lord of heaven and earth, and he doesn’t live in temples built by human hands. He doesn’t need help from anyone. He gives life, breath, and everything else to all people. God isn’t far from any of us, and he gives us power to live, to move, and to be who we are. So, relax in the Lord and let him guild your steps, for He said;
Psalms 37:23-24 (NKJV)
[23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
[24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us; He gives you the power to obtain wealth and His formula of how to enjoy it.
Here are more verses that offer comfort in times of feeling overwhelmed:
- "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22
- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
- "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." - Psalm 94:19
- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6
- "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13
- Psalm 61:2 - "From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety."
- Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
These verses remind us that we can turn to God for strength and support when we feel overwhelmed, and that He is always there to help us in our time of need.