Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
(Psalm 61:1-3, ESV).
I sat in the recliner, with my journal on my lap, and tears streaming down my cheeks. I knew that if I could write out my frustrations (just as I had countless times before in my life), I might be able to find some clarity, and it might help calm the swirling thoughts that were circling my mind and causing me to feel utterly overwhelmed by everything going on in my life. I have journaled for as long as I can remember. As a writer, I have always enjoyed being a storyteller, and often, especially after becoming a Christ follower, journaling has helped me process my own stories with God.
Before I began writing, I grabbed my Bible and thumbed through the book of Psalms. Suddenly, the first three verses in Psalm 61 caught my attention:
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy” (1-3, ESV).
I read these three verses aloud a few times, and tears continued to flow. My heart was faint, but the Lord was strengthening me as I looked to Him, my ever-present help in time of need. My weeping turned into a time of gratitude that I was not alone in my suffering; God was near to me in that moment. Instead of the overwhelming anxiety from what I was facing, God’s peace began to overwhelm my heart as I shared with Him what was causing me so much worry and stress. Suddenly, I was able to see more clearly, and my problems seemed so small standing next to God Almighty. God may not have solved all of my issues, but He was changing me little by little, as I learned to cling to Him in the chaos. In an instant, He calmed my troubled heart and gave me a new perspective.
When our hearts are overwhelmed by the cares of this life, we must take the time to cast them upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). As Psalm 61 instructs us, we are to cry out to God, for He alone is our protection and refuge against the chaos of this life. Jesus Christ, our rock, is our firm foundation when the ground beneath our feet feels shaky. We can run to Him for safety and trust that when the waves crash in around us, He will be our fortress in the midst of the storms of life.
Do you find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelmed during this holiday season? Is your heart heavy and burdened? Instead of trying to escape the stress or ignore all the pain and frustration, we must cry out to God because He has such care for His children. What are you trying to find safety and comfort in besides God’s presence? Perhaps you can make a list of what you may be running to for distraction when you are overwhelmed. Nothing that this world offers will ever be able to calm our weary souls; only Jesus has the power to do that. We must run to God and look to Him to bring a peace that passes all understanding. He alone is your fortress and protection against the storms of life. In the midst of chaos and troubles, Jesus is constant and unshakable. We must not build our lives upon the sinking sand of the world’s system. Remember, Jesus is our Rock and our Redeemer. He is near when we are worried or afraid. We can always lean upon Him and trust that He is always working things out for His glory and for our good.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Hannah Olinger
Related Resource: Let Go, Trust, and Stay Rooted When Life Feels Unsteady
When life feels unsteady, many of us respond by holding tighter, trying harder, and carrying more than we were meant to bear. But Jesus offers a different way. In this episode of Unhurried Living, Gem Fadling is joined by Yvette Henry, writer, speaker, and author of Release, Rest, Remain, for a thoughtful conversation about learning to let go, trust God, and stay rooted in his presence when life feels overwhelming.
Drawing from Jesus’ words in John 15, this conversation explores what it means to release the pressure to hold everything together, rest in God’s love, and remain spiritually grounded in the middle of real life. Together, they reflect on spiritual exhaustion, the invitation to abide rather than strive, and how spiritual fruit grows naturally when we stay connected to God.
This episode is for anyone longing for peace, stability, and a deeper sense of trust when life feels uncertain. If this episode helps you recenter your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 08 January 2026.
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