Tuesday, February 23, 2021

When Overwhelmed


We all have them.  Everyone has a day (or week) where it seems trouble is around every corner.  We become overtaken with the "what ifs?" and the "why Lord?" questions.  We become overwhelmed. 

We find in Scripture that the Psalmist was often overwhelmed.  Trouble was on everyside and in his despair he cried out to God, "Why?"  In Psalm 77 he says, "I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed." and then he asks, "Has God forgotten to be gracious?"  In verse 10 he says, "This is my infirmity." When we are overwhelmed and start to question it truly can be like a sickness and a weakness if we stay in this state. When we put our focus on the difficulties around us and forget the goodness of the Lord we become weak, nonproductive, and sorrowful.  It is like a sickness.

 Ever been there?  We all have.  But, I am so thankful that the Lord gives us the solution to our days of despair.  Like a recipe, He tells us the steps to take to have victory over days of despair.

1. Choose to remember.  (I will remember vs 10 and 11) We easily and often forget, don't we?  We forget the big blessings, the little blessings, and all the blessings in between.  If you think about the men God chose to write down God's Word and the troubles they faced, and think about how they still rejoiced and gave thanks to Him, then you realize that we really don't have much to complain about.  Our troubles often aren't even close to what they faced.  But, the problem is that we don't remember the blessings in our life.  It has to be a conscious decision to remember.  

How do we do this? 

    ***Highlight answered prayers in your prayer journal.  Then, when these times come, go back and read them and thank the Lord. 

    ***Do you have a friend that just always seems upbeat?  Call them!  Don't tell them all your problems, just ask them to tell you something God has done for them lately.  

    ***Go for a walk.  There is just something about looking up at the sky, seeing the pretty trees and hearing the birds that makes you thankful.  

Choose to remember how good God has been!

2. Choose to meditate.  (I will meditate also of all thy work. vs. 12) Now that you've chosen to remember how good God has been, think about it througout the day.  When those thoughts of despair come, push them out of the way with all the good things of the Lord.  Put reminders of God's goodness in places where you will see them (bathroom mirror, by the kitchen sink, at your desk.) 

3. Choose to talk about Him. (I will...talk of thy doings. vs 12)  It's so easy for negative to roll off our tongue, isn't it?  But, when we choose to talk about how good God has been, it not only benefits the person you are talking to, but it helps you as well!  We talk about what we love, don't we?  So, let's on purpose talk about how good our Saviour has been to us.

I'm so thankful the Lord knows we will have days where we are overwhelmed.  But, He doesn't leave us there.  He gives us all we need to succeed in this life.  It really is a wonderful life to live for Christ!
 

4 comments:

  1. Good advice Kami. We all need to work on staying upbeat during troubled times. Some people seem more naturally inclined than others but good, positive habits and meditations help us all. God bless. xx

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  2. So good, Mrs. Kami! 💕 I really needed this. ☺️

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    1. Aww thanks Tabitha! Did you recognize the driveway in the picture? ;o)

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  3. Thank you, Kami. The Lord knew I needed this for this week especially.

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