Overwhelmed But Not Overtaken

My soul is heavy. It feels burdened with the weight of choices and decisions that I feel need to have answers right now. Questions flurry through my mind leaving me overwhelmed and consumed by anxiety. I want to have it all figured out, I want to know what happens next…but why? Don’t I have faith? Don’t I have trust in the God I believe in? So why do I try to take control when I already know the One who is in complete control?

I know I’m not the only one who has and will go through this struggle of being consumed and overwhelmed by the ‘what ifs’ or the ‘it was supposed to go this way’ thoughts that tend to go through our minds at times. We form these expectations and plans because that’s what the world tells us to do, that we need to have it all figured out and move fast or else we’re going to miss out on something amazing.

Why do I try to figure it all out when the maker of my heart already had it figured out before I was even born?

We all have trust issues and understandably so but why do we think that the only one we can trust is ourselves? For when we trust in ourselves we are only led by our own wants and selfish desires in which often lead to pain, destruction, and more confusion… and God doesn’t want that for His children. That’s why He calls us to trust Him despite what we may think is best. For the God of the universe, the maker of your innermost being is the One who has things under control even though we may feel like everything is out of control.

“The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.”- His Upmost Highest

He meets us among the crashing waves of circumstances that try to consume and distract us. When we trust Him and step out into the chaos He makes it so we can walk through it all and closer to Him. And in the moments where we become blindsided and take our gaze away from Him, overwhelmed by the crashing waves of life and choices, we begin to sink as the waves of anxiety and worry start to pull us under.

“We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go…”-His Upmost Highest

But we are not submerged, we don’t drown for the Lord reaches out His hand and pulls us up, rescuing His beloved child. For He will hold you and bring you strength and as your gaze refocuses, with Him peace will fill you despite the roaring waves that may continue.

He doesn’t want us to have it figured out, It not up to us to try and tame the waves, nor become overwhelmed by burdens that we weren’t even supposed to pick up in the first place. All He asks is for us to continually keep our eyes above the waves… keeping our focus and trust in Him.

“…But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him…” –Matthew 14:30-31

“I don't want to be afraid every time I face the waves. I don't want to be afraid, I don't want to fear the storm just because I hear the roar. Peace be still, say the word and I will. Set my feet upon the sea till I'm dancing in the deep. Oh, peace be still! You are here so it is well. Even when my eyes can't see I will trust the voice that speaks.” – Peace Be Still by the Belonging Co