You know, every once in a while, you just feel overwhelmed. No big event or stressor. No single thing you can put your finger on. It’s just like a funk that sets in. You see yourself there and wonder, “How did this happen?”
When it strikes me, like it has been creeping up these last few months, I see several traits come out in me that I don’t like at all. I find myself really short-tempered over the stupidest things. I lose the desire to be active. Things I know I should be doing, I don’t. I am a procrastinator by nature, but it really becomes an issue. I take comments to heart and become hurt very easily. Normal everyday things begin to look like insurmountable obstacles.
This is a painful process that if not cut off quickly, really seems to engulf a person. I know some people who say it is depression. Others who say it a lack of faith. Some believe it is just not coping with life.
I believe that it is not any one of those things alone. In fact, it may be all of those things. But they are not the cause, they are just another part of the effect! I know that in my life, I can usually look to the foundational areas of my walk with Christ to find the source of my issues. When I am struggling with this sense of being overwhelmed, it usual means I have taken my circumstances and situations upon myself as my own. I have not been as faithful to pray through situations or study up on God’s faithfulness in tough times. I have taken my eyes, maybe not completely but enough to blur my vision, off of Him.
Coping skills are difficult for some to find. Let me lay out a few that seem to help when I find myself in this painful place…
1. Trust Him with your concerns and issues…
Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety upon Him for He cares for you.
2. Pray yourself and have others pray for you…
Luke 18:1 – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
3. Put the past behind you…Live in victory…
Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. BUT ONE THING I DO: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!
He really has given us the victory!
Thank you, God, for the victory over every area of our lives. May we look to You for the strength to fulfill all You have called us to do. When You call, You equip and strengthen! May our eyes be ever focused on the prize and calling You set before us!
March 30, 2010 at 11:58 AM
A verse that has come to mean alot to me – especially lately – is Philippians 4:11. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances.” This coming from the mouth of Paul who knew what it meant to suffer. All of the problems I face don’t even compare to what he went through. But yet he was able to just be content and not let his circumstances bog him down. I’ve been working on changing my mindset and I tell you what…its so freeing! Allowing God to just take control takes a huge weight off my shoulders and allows Him to better use me. And it’s funny because all these things that I thought were problems are turning out to be good things that are helping me get where God wants me. How about that…”In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose”…it’s actually true!
Who’d have thunk it? 
March 30, 2010 at 9:28 AM
Scott thank you for that I really needed it today I have a lot going on rite now and it feels like I’m in a deep dark hole with no way out but this opened my eyes to the fact that the reason I’m stuck is because I haven’t been lookin in the right place for my way out! Thanks again! Love. Caitlin