Trusting the Overcomer When I Feel Overwhelmed
LISA KOTTENSTETTE, COMPEL PRO MEMBER
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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
How often do you use the word “overwhelmed”? As a mom of four, I admit I use it far too often.
Exactly one year before my own mom passed away, she sent me an email. She couldn’t sleep and was thinking about a conversation we had the day before, when I was sharing how overwhelmed I felt.
At that time, I was pregnant with my fourth baby and already had three small children at home, all while my husband worked three jobs and completed his master’s degree—I was simply trying to hold things together. Being a mom of four herself, my mom could completely relate to how I was feeling. In her email, she shared how her perspective changed one day on the topic of being overwhelmed.
She wrote, “One day I felt really convicted about saying I was overwhelmed—because when the Lord is on our side, He will provide everything we need in every situation, and it is our goal to trust Him for that.”
If only my mom knew how much my heart needed that encouragement. Especially this past year without her, it has been a comfort to have these faith-filled words to read.
And what about the words Jesus Himself left for us? In John 16:33, Jesus promised, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
What a difference between overwhelmed and overcome. The definition of the word “overwhelm” is “to drown or bury beneath a huge mass.” Another meaning is “to defeat completely.”
But even on my hardest days, when I am juggling a million things, am I completely defeated? No. Because of what Jesus did for me on the cross, He has overcome! I am not defeated. I can stand in victory, confidence, and peace because of my Jesus.
I am learning that the words we use matter. They can affect our mood, heart, and mindset. Is there another word besides "overwhelmed" we could use to describe how we feel on these tough days? Maybe “busy” or “burdened”?
Or what about the word “overcome”?
Instead of saying we are overwhelmed by life, we can choose to say we are overcome with gratitude for all Jesus has done for us. We are overcome with joy that our troubles will not last forever, and we are overcome by the fact that Jesus, the King of kings, is on our side and will provide what we need.
Today, friends, let’s lay down our overwhelm confidently at the feet of the Overcomer.
Lord Jesus, thank You that even on my hard days, I know You are not overwhelmed or surprised by anything. You have overcome death, sin, anger, envy, guilt, and shame. I can trust You and give You all that feels hard and heavy in my life right now. Please help me release these things to You and trust You for everything I need today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do when life feels uncertain is return to the life of Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, we watch Him step into real moments with real people — calming storms, healing the broken, and meeting people whose faith felt fragile. Again and again, He shows us that He isn’t distant from our struggles. He moves toward them. That’s exactly what we’ll explore together in our upcoming First 5 study, Mark: Trusting King Jesus as the One Who Sees You, Saves You, and Never Lets Go. As we walk through these passages daily in the First 5 app, we’ll see Jesus not just as a Savior who worked miracles long ago but as the King who still meets us in our uncertainty today. If you’d like to go deeper, you can also get the Mark study guide now in the Proverbs 31 Bookstore for expanded teaching and guided reflection that will help you experience the Gospel of Mark in a powerful new way.
ENGAGE
Today’s devotion writer, Lisa Kottenstette, is a COMPEL Pro member — a woman who’s growing in her gifts for the glory of God. To find out more about COMPEL Pro, click here and follow along on Facebook and Instagram!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (NIV).
1 John 5:4, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (NIV).
What is a situation in your life right now that feels completely overwhelming? Take a moment right now and give it to God, truly opening your hands and just saying, God, please help me. Take this situation.
How can you replace the overwhelm you feel with overcoming thankfulness for what the Lord has done in your life? What provision can you pause and thank Him for?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Lisa Kottenstette. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Friday, 08 May 2026.
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