Verses For When You Feel Overwhelmed

I feel overwhelmed. Not always, but right now I do. I recently planned a two-week vacation for my family of seven that took place over three destinations. All the while, I was homeschooling and preparing our home and luggage for the trip. Simultaneously, my husband had a neck injury that put all of our plans into question while we sought fast medical help. During our travels, we received news about a distressing event in our community. Then, my dad ended up in the hospital with concerning symptoms which led to surgery. While traveling to our second destination, Charlie Kirk died. Finally, a few days after arriving home, my husband’s neck problem escalated, and he’ll soon be heading into surgery. I’m overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions, and it feels like I can’t keep my head above water right now. I need somewhere to turn.

Return To The Familiar

I can only think of one place that offers the guidance, wisdom, and encouragement I need when I feel overwhelmed. No, it’s not a therapist, parent, friend, or even a really great song. Those people might be helpful, and who doesn’t love good music? But every Christian knows where we need to turn to when we need help. God. And where do we hear from Him? His Word.

So, if you would allow me to, I’d like to share the verses that have offered me comfort in the last couple of months. If you’ve known the Lord for any amount of time, these verses won’t be new to you. However, sometimes we just need to sit quietly with Him and be reminded of things we already know about Him.

Think of it this way. Have you ever received a love letter? If you did, what did you do with it? I doubt you tossed it aside and didn’t think about it again. You probably read and reread that letter until you could recite it from memory. The Bible is the best love letter we will ever receive. Don’t ever hesitate to revisit the portions you know well. His Word is always a blessing.

Remember This When You Feel Overwhelmed

God Promises Peace

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)

He is in the business of peace, ladies. He is the Lord of it, and He willingly gives it to His children.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)

God’s peace doesn’t remove trouble. We are guaranteed troubles, but if we abide in the Lord, we can have peace in any circumstance. A good start to receiving that peace is remembering that He has already won.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)

What are you thinking about? What concerns you most? Peace is difficult to come by if our thoughts are geared toward this short life and away from things of eternal and spiritual importance.  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV)

Peace can literally be a stable part of your character if you grow in Christlikeness and mature in your walk with the Lord. Our peace is an evidence of our salvation and a healthy relationship with Christ.

God Is Approachable

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 (ESV)

Not only does the Father know how to bless you and give you good things, but you are free to ask Him. Our God wants us to approach Him and ask for our needs to be met.

God Is Our Refuge

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

We can trust God to shelter us through difficulties. We’ll still experience hardships, but He is there with us through it. We can count on Him.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

Despite the problems we may be facing, we don’t need to be afraid or uncertain. God is our refuge (i.e., our place of safety), and He can carry us through our troubles.

God Will Carry Our Burdens

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

When you feel overwhelmed, tell Jesus. Unload the heavy weight you carry. Let go of fear, anxiety, and concern. Don’t be a worrywart. Instead, let the Lord carry the load and rest in Him.

His Grace Is Sufficient

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV)

Paul asked God to remove something from him, but God said, “no.” Of all people, wouldn’t you think God would do what the Apostle Paul asked? Well, God knows better. He doesn’t require our circumstances to change because He can give us the grace we need to do what He desires. How amazing it is to think God can use someone as flawed as me! When we feel overwhelmed, we should remember that what God offers us, abundant grace, is all we need to do what we must.

God Knows Better

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

We are tempted to take control when we feel overwhelmed, aren’t we? Maybe we think God isn’t moving fast enough, or perhaps we don’t like what He seems to be doing in our lives. So, we try to make things happen the way we want. Friend, how is that working out for you?

God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He created the world in which you reside. He even created you! Do you really think you know better than Him this time?

God Gave Us Treasure

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. “ 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 (ESV)

Weak. Mortal. Fallible. Sinful. Broken. Imperfect. Fragile. We are all of these things, yet God gave us the gospel. He takes us, as flawed as we are, and uses us for Kingdom work. We can share Jesus with others and display Him in our daily lives. Yes, we may feel overwhelmed by persecution, responsibilities, or spiritual battle, but nonetheless, God saved me. And I get to share this treasure with others. Whatever we face, we do so with a great purpose.

Final Thought

If you don’t feel overwhelmed today, don’t worry because you will soon… Life has its ups and downs, and we can be certain that we won’t stay in either position forever. That isn’t cause to give up, though, and to walk away defeated. Rather, sit down, open your Bible, and get to know God a little better. Maybe you don’t know Him well yet or maybe you just need a reminder. Either way, the Bible will be exactly what you need.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Which verses do you turn to when you feel overwhelmed?

Image courtesy of nikko macaspac via Unsplash.