Picture this with me: You are in the cabin of a cruise ship. You have gone to sleep for the night and all is well. Suddenly, you are startled awake by the jolt of the ship and emergency sirens. The vessel has slammed into a reef. Because you are in one of the lower levels of the ship, water has already made its way to your room. The door is pinned shut, you feel the water flowing through the cracks, and as it steadily rises, panic sets in. There is no evident way of escape. The water reaches your neck, you prepare to take your last breath, the thought of drowning becomes an ever-present reality…
This is what it feels like to be overwhelmed. While the story above is merely fiction, the feeling of being overwhelmed is all too true for most. We may not drown in water, but the stress from our bills, relationships, work, sin, and the “busyness” of our lives often leave us gasping for air with very little sign of rescue. How can I conquer such an intense and very real emotion? If God is the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3), His Word can present us a solution. So, let us turn to Him to seek His Wisdom. Here are four tips from Psalm 61 for when I’m feeling overwhelmed:
When I’m overwhelmed, I need to pray. As Psalm 61 begins, David says, “Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer.” The first place David turned to in this Psalm was his God. Have you seen a child who has been hurt? What is the first thing they do? They cry for mom or dad. As a child runs to their parents seeking comfort, we too ought to run to our heavenly Father in our time of need. When the bills pile up, we could pray, “Feed me with the food that is my portion…” (Prov. 30:7-9). When our calendars have so many colors on them that want to set them on fire, we could pray, “Lord, help me to redeem the time You have graciously given me” (Eph. 5:15-17). The point is, the first thing I should do when I’m feeling overwhelmed is take those worries to God in prayer.
When I’m overwhelmed, I need to reflect. As you continue to read through Psalm 61, notice the phrase “You have…” used 3 times (Ps. 61:3,5). Each time, this phrase is connected to something God has done for David in the past. David reflects on the protection he’s received from enemies (v. 3), the listening ear of God (v. 5a), and the inheritance he has received as one who fears God (v. 5b). David is reflecting on the past knowing what God can do for him in the present. This means, when the waters rise for you and I, we ought to think about the ways God has blessed us. Practically, this is thanksgiving. Keep a journal of all the ways God has blessed you, no matter how big or small a blessing may seem. When you start to feel overwhelmed, return to that journal and remember the Giver of all things that are good (James 1:17)
When I’m overwhelmed, I need to anticipate. As we continue to work through Psalm 61, note a transition found in verse 6. David moves his words from the past tense (“You have”) to the future tense (“You will”). After reflection on what God did for him in the past, he now anticipates what God will do for him in the future. Did you know that God has made hundreds of promises to His people throughout His Word? Eternal life is one of those promises (1 John 2:25). So, when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I ought to seek out the promises God makes to us in His Word and anticipate them to come. This changes our perspective from the struggles of now to the blessings of later.
When I’m overwhelmed, I need to sing. The final tip from Psalm 61 can be found in verse 8. As David concludes this Psalm, he is now singing praises to God. He has gone from praying, crying out to God, to praising the great name of the Lord. Singing can help us overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed. So, sing. Go to worship services and praise the Lord. Sing with your family during your devotional times. When you struggle, choose to sing. That’s what Paul and Silas did (Acts 16:25).
The water reaches your neck, you prepare to take your last breath, the thought of drowning becomes an ever present reality… then the glass window breaks and you make your escape to the surface filling your lungs with oxygen and your heart with relief. Brothers, sisters, and friends, being overwhelmed is a real emotion that we can struggle with. If we handle it God’s way, we too can escape the rising waters and find relief in Him. When you struggle, do not forget to pray to your Father in heaven, reflect on His blessings, anticipate His promises, and sing praises to Him. In doing these things, we allow the God of all comfort to rescue us.
-Bryce Mayfield