Overwhelmed? There’s Hope and Help

This is the season of the year in which we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ, our Savior. While this is a joyous time of year, our lives are filled with so much busyness that we can become overwhelmed.

That’s what I’ve been feeling of late.

Overwhelmed.

I NEED A LONG NAP

I’m sure for me, that feeling is coming, in part, from the recent death of my only sibling, my precious sister. But there are other things going on in our lives that have tested us to the nth degree. In times like these, my natural response is to go into a deep depression (it runs in my family), climb into my bed, and pull the covers over my head. The people in Clayton Moore’s The Night Before Christmas weren’t far off the mark when they said it was time to settle in for a long winter’s nap.

With the holidays coming up fast, there is no time for even a short nap. Heavy sigh inserted here.

NOT ALONE

From reading social media posts, it’s quite apparent that I’m not the only one experiencing this feeling of being overwhelmed. A friend posted today about her feeling bereft. She defined it as feeling lost, deserted, abandoned, deprived. It was odd that she used abandoned. That is the second time in a week someone used that word to describe the death of a loved one. Let me tell you, abandoned describes this feeling perfectly, especially when you’re the last remaining member of your core family. Another heavy sigh here, accompanied by unstoppable tears.

With the holidays coming fast on our heels and so much to be done, there’s no time for napping. There’s barely time to dry those tears. So, how can I get through the next few weeks without giving in to the dark side of things?

MY SOURCE OF PEACE AND COMFORT

My go-to place is my Bible.

You may be surprised to hear that, prior to my first attendance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, I wasn’t much of a Bible reader. I certainly didn’t read it regularly. Oh, I turned to its pages when I had certain needs, but it wasn’t a habit I’d ever formed prior to that conference.

Now, it’s the first place I go.

God is true to His Word. The plan He formed for us from the very beginning–He is seeing through to the end. Or as David Phelps says in song, The End of the Beginning. He keeps His promises. If He said it in the Bible, He will make sure it comes to pass; Philippians 1: 6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. We can trust His Word.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS – MY FAVORITE

The Psalms is my book of choice for times such as these. A little over a year ago, reading chapters from this lovely book changed my life in an instant. God’s Word is that powerful. It changes lives.

For this post, I went to my Strong’s Concordance and looked up overwhelmed. Here are some of the Psalms it led me to. I hope that if you feel overwhelmed during this Christmastide for any reason, you will turn to your Bible. I highly recommend the Psalms for peace and comfort. If any of these help you at all, please let me know. And if you need to talk to someone, PM me and I’ll send you my phone number. I’ll be glad to listen, to read from Psalms to you, and to pray with and for you.

Overwhelmed? There's Hope and Help @DDuPreeWilliams #faith, #writing #FeelingOverwhelmed Share on X

SOME PSALMS FOR WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED

Psalm 55: 5  (NASB) Fear and trembling come upon me; And horror has overwhelmed me.  …16  As for me, I shall call upon God, and the LORD will save me.

Psalm 61:1-3 (KJV) Hear my cry, O God: Attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, When my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Psalm 142: 3 (KJV)  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.

 Psalm 143:4 (KJV) Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. … 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning: For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.

 

If you’re grieving and you need help, check out Edie Melson’s newest book, Soul Care When You’re Grieving. I highly recommend it.

 

Blessings, y’all.

Y’all know I love David Phelps. I mention this song in this post. He wrote this. One of the best voices out there. I pray this blesses you in some way.