Beth was the volunteer queen. Everyone knew that if you needed something done, all you needed to do was ask Beth. She wore so many hats that she lost count. Beth was in charge of the nursery at church, taught a Sunday School class, served as the room mom at school, and volunteered to help with her children’s soccer team events. She helped with baby showers, wedding showers, birthday events, and made an effort to send cards to those who were sick. This was in addition to keeping up with her family’s laundry, house cleaning, meals, and paying bills. Her marriage seemed to be getting further down the priority list, and her self-care was nonexistent.
Beth was overwhelmed. It was all hitting the fan, and she felt her health starting to decline because she couldn’t keep up. She was beginning to feel despondent and depressed, with no motivation to do any of it. It was a friend who finally told her something that got her attention. She said God didn’t expect her to be everything to everyone because that was His job. He didn’t expect us to solve the world’s problems, because that was His job. Even though it was hard to internalize in her overwhelmed state, that truth slowly began to make sense.
God doesn’t expect perfection from us, and he doesn’t expect us to carry the load of life’s expectations alone.
Here are some Scripture verses that speak to that truth.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
A Promise: God knows that this world is a tough place. He never planned it that way, but when sin entered the garden, it brought things that would forever cause stress in our lives. But God, in his wisdom and foresight, knew that we would struggle. He cares so much for us that He makes Himself available to help us if we only bring our cares to Him. He wants us to present our petitions in thanksgiving because we trust He can do so. He will listen and intervene on our behalf.
A Prayer: Father, help me surrender all of my burdens to you. Give me your peace, which will cover all of my worries and guard my mind so that I will not become overwhelmed by the things I face on earth. You understand my burdens, and I give it all to you.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”.
A Promise: The fights we face in this world have never been and will never be our own. We do not possess the wisdom or power to fight battles or even manage our lives. But God knows the enemy we face and how we become our worst enemy in allowing the world to overwhelm us. All we need to do is go before the Lord, surrender to Him, listen to His instruction and wisdom, and allow Him to fight for us.
A Prayer: Father, help me to remember that I have no strength outside of you. The battles I face on earth become too strong for me to fight, but you can fight them. Please help me to remember that I do not fight alone, but you fight for me. I need to stop and be still, letting you be God.
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”
A Promise: The things we face on earth are varied, and we feel we must be everything to everyone. But that is not possible in our earthly form. Too often, we try to do God’s work instead of standing back and allowing God to be who He is. We need to remember that God can be all things to each of us. Whatever we need, He has, and whoever needs Him to be, He is.
A Prayer: Father, open my eyes to see you in all your majesty and power. Please help me not to become overwhelmed because I try to be everything to everyone. Please help me remember that you are all that we need.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
A Promise: Fear is an enemy that can destroy us from within. It comes for so many different reasons. We can suffer from the fear of being rejected, the fear of not being enough, and the fear of failure. Sometimes, we try to compensate by working because of those fears, which can lead to becoming overwhelmed. God loves us because He is our God. We do not have to work to earn His love. He understands our emotions and will strengthen us when we are weak and guide us by imparting wisdom to walk victoriously through life.
A Prayer: Father, I must remember that I do not walk this path alone. Regardless of the times I felt no one understood, you did. You are with me, my God, and you will hold me up when I am too weak to stand.
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge”.
A Promise: God is everywhere and is our refuge. A refuge is a place to shelter and find protection when things become overwhelming and dangerous. When they get too much to bear, God has provided a safe place for us to go.
A Prayer: Father, I will remember that you are there wherever I go and whatever I do today. I can go nowhere on earth that you do not hear my prayer. You are my hiding place when I am scared, and when I grow weak, you are my strength.
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path”
A Promise: God knows we get overwhelmed even when no one else knows. We hide the overwhelmed feelings from everyone around us, but even then, God knows. He knows our past, why we get overwhelmed, and has watched us on the path. The fact that He knows and understands is comforting.
A Prayer: Father, knowing that you understand what I go through is comforting. You know when I am overwhelmed and tired and when things overtake me so that I want to give up. I can rest in the fact that the God who created the Universe not only knows my name but also everything that I am experiencing.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me”.
A Promise: God is not out of touch. He understands everything from the mundane events of this world to the life-shattering experiences we go through. He understands because He watches, even from His place on high. There is nothing too difficult for him, and He promises to rescue.
A Prayer: Father, thank you for being there when things in this life try to take over me. When I am at my lowest, you see me. There is nothing or no one more powerful than you, and all that I need to do is cry out, and you will save me.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.
A Promise: God hears even the faintest cry for help. When we are broken, he draws close. When our spirit is crushed and we are at the point of giving up, He draws near. All we need to do is cry out to Him, trusting He will be faithful.
A Prayer: Father, help me to remember that you love me enough to watch over me. All that I need to do is to cry out to you. Please help me not to be so independent that I suffer alone. You understand my thoughts, my anxiety, and my broken heart better than anyone else. So today, help me remember to call out to you.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
A Promise: To get the rest that God offers us, we must go to Him. The things he asks us to do are never too difficult to bear. His burden is light because he is our support, wisdom, strength, and protection. He instructs us on navigating life’s experiences; all we have to do is go to Him and trust His faithfulness.
A Prayer: Father, thank you for being a God who gives rest. I know your burden is light, and when I feel overwhelmed, it may be a sign that I need to reassess my priorities. Give me wisdom as I evaluate what I do because I know you are not a God who overwhelms us.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”
A Promise: To cast means throwing as hard as possible and letting it go. If you throw a rock but don’t open your hand to release it, it will still be in your hand. The same is true of our anxiety and worries. The most challenging part is letting them go. But to let go is to trust the one you are casting to, and God has proven that He is able to do whatever we need if we surrender it all to Him.
A Prayer: Father, thank you for caring for me. Help me realize that I can give you all my care and worry, because, like a good Father, you care. You are never too busy to ignore me, but when I cast my anxiety to you, I need to learn to let go. Please help me do this.
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