Walking With God When You’re Overwhelmed
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9, NIV).
As we shift from the carefree days of summer into back-to-school mode, I feel it again. Overwhelm creeps in with the mountain of permission slips, class syllabi, and sports schedules. Now we have two daughters in a new high school and one in college. There’s so much vying for our time.
We have to discern anew where God wants us to say yes and when God wants us to say no to opportunities. This summer, I spent time walking through my neighborhood and seeking counsel from God about my yeses and nos, as well as our family’s commitments.
We see many people in the Bible who sought wisdom from God. Genesis 6:9 tells us “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”
I like to imagine Noah going for a daily stroll with God on a local trail that meanders through lush ferns and along the sparkling water’s edge. According to the Scriptures, Noah listened to God (Genesis 6:13-21) and obeyed God’s instructions (Genesis 6:22). He was protected and provided for by God (Genesis 7:7). He waited on God (Genesis 8:10-12), and that made all the difference.
Walking indicates a moderate pace. Nothing hurried or harried. In a spiritual sense, walking with God means to abide with Him, obey His commands, and move deliberately, following His lead.
That’s what Noah did. God gave him very specific instructions about building a huge boat out of gopher wood. He told Noah (who happened to be standing on dry land) that He was going to “bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven” (Genesis 6:17, ESV). Noah moved forward with the ark-sized assignment.
Noah wasn’t perfect, but we can learn from his example of how to gain discernment. Our circumstances may be different, but if we walk with God, listen for His voice, and obey His instructions when He tells us to move, we can trust He will provide for us and protect us.
If we rush ahead with our own designs for boat building or dawdle behind in our insecurities, we might get caught in a rainstorm.
Sometimes we have to say no to opportunities so that we have space to step into the specific assignments God has designed for us. Other times, we have to say no to create space for rest, but God may call us back to those opportunities later.
Like a dove with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her mouth, I feel like God is inviting us back to dry, verdant land this fall. We are each called to walk courageously with Him. This is a powerful antidote to burnout and overwhelm.
Dear God, I desire to walk with You and to allow You to be my pacer. I don’t want to run ahead or dawdle behind. Open my eyes to see what You have for my family and me in this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Women constantly face decisions that shape their relationships, families, finances, and future. But in a world full of competing voices, it can be difficult to know where to turn for wisdom that can truly be trusted. That’s why Proverbs 31 Ministries is so passionate about helping women discover the practical wisdom found in God’s Word. Through our new study, 31 Days Through Proverbs: Wisdom for Every Day, women will find biblical guidance that brings clarity, confidence, and hope to everyday life. When you give today, you’ll help more women access trusted, Scripture-rooted wisdom when they need it most. And as our thanks, we’ll send you a copy of the 31 Days Through Proverbs study to encourage you in your own walk with God.
In her new Bible study, Redeemer: God’s Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth, Bible teacher and retreat leader Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young invites us to view the book of Ruth through a different lens — one that helps us recognize how this story proclaims God's heart for the vulnerable. As Ruth's story unfolds, we discover that God is the main character and the true Redeemer, for Ruth and for us today.
ENGAGE
Subscribe to Dorina’s weekly Glorygram for encouragement as you learn to feast on God’s glory and flourish in your God-given gifts. Follow her on Instagram @DorinaGilmore for Scripture-inspired truths and daily glimpses of His glory.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Genesis 6:20-22, “Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them. Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (NIV).
What specific assignments has God given you that only you can do?
How are you discerning your best yeses and nos? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Friday, 21 August 2026.
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