Being busy can at times feel like a burden. Whether it's because we have so little time to spend on the activities that we enjoy or because we're simply doing too much of everything, we can eventually feel swamped by it all. But feeling overwhelmed isn't always a result of having too much on, it can also characterise periods when we believe that we're not being afforded opportunities to showcase our potential or when we are dealing with intense emotions as the result of an unexpected turn of events in our lives.
If you're feeling overwhelmed for whatever reason, looking to God as you work to stay on top of everything can help relieve your stress.
Here are five things to remember about God when you're overloaded.
He created the heavens and the earth When you're overwhelmed you rarely see the bigger picture. A job rejection or never-ending to do list can seem like the only thing that matters. Taking a moment to step outside the immediate, and reflect on God's glory by appreciating His creations and how everything fits together - the bees and their pollination of flowers, trees as a source of food and shelter for birds - can inspire you to believe that, in the end, everything you're dealing with will fit together too.
He loves you Do you feel overwhelmed thinking about how you're going to get everything done or that you've fallen short of the mark? What's wonderful to know, especially when these thoughts take hold, is that God loves you anyway. His expectations of you aren't unattainable, unlike the ones you may have set for yourself. And when you don't quite make it, He's still there for you. When the pressure of trying to be perfect is off you can focus on doing our best, glorifying God through your actions, and know that he sees and rewards your efforts.
He is working on your life for good If you miss out on opportunities that you believe are an important stepping stone for your career or spiritual development, you can be overwhelmed by disappointment. Knowing that beyond your own choices God has a plan for your life and that plan sometimes involves removing things which are ungodly or not in your best interests can help you to avoid feeling defeated when things don't seem to be working out.
He made you Overwhelmed by a task ahead? Wondering if you're the right person for the job? God didn't make a mistake when He made you so if He's called you to do something, He hasn't made a mistake about that either. Remember that He didn't create you to go without rest or to face your fears alone. So don't be adverse to taking a break when things get tough and calling on Him.
He answers your prayers Sometimes when it all gets too much, what we really need is to be able to offload to someone and have them give us valuable advice and guidance. Of course, close friends and confidants can be great at listening but sometimes they can be too busy to help us out. God's always got time for you. And He won't just passively listen but He'll respond too. You can find the answers you need in Him. Plus, praying and waiting for His answer will provide you with some much needed peace.
