Overwhelmed
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you feel you’re drowning? Every corner you turn provides a new challenge or disappointment? Maybe your relationships are struggling under the ongoing pandemic restrictions. Depression and/or anxiety have become too familiar, and you haven’t felt motivated toward anything productive in a long time. Sleep has become difficult, as has regular exercise and healthy eating. OR maybe you have so much on your plate that you simply can’t manage the load. Things are going well, without negative stressors, but there just isn’t enough time in the day. You’re not sure how you’re going to make it without a major change. Does any of this sound familiar?
You’re not alone
I have ridden the pandemic roller coaster myself and can quickly say I do not enjoy the ride! I have struggled as relationships and activities I enjoy have been restricted and in some cases, ceased. With much of my work moving online, I have faced loneliness and lack of motivation. I incurred an injury mid-summer that kept me unable to exercise as I was accustomed to. With a low affect, I turned to food as my comfort but was discouraged to see the scale rise. ‘Blah’ seems an apt word to describe many of my days, like the colour has drained off my once vibrant page. I have heard stories from others who can relate, many of their accounts fraught with pain, illness, debilitating mental health and financial crisis. Without a doubt, these are unprecedented times, and with no script to guide us, overwhelmed makes sense.
Where do we turn?
Let’s look at a familiar story from Matthew 14, the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. Allow me paint the picture for you: Jesus and his closest friends were out talking with the crowds that followed them, seeking the miraculous that accompanied this Teacher. Earlier in the chapter, we read that Jesus had fed possibly more than 10,000 people with a boy’s small lunch. Imagine the exhaustion of meeting the needs of so many day after day. As was His regular practice, Jesus retreated to spend time with God, His Father, for rejuvenation. He instructed the others to get in a boat and cross the lake.
While the band of men were rowing across the water, a fierce storm kicked up. Amid 
their frantic rowing and bailing, hoping for the winds to die down, someone alerted the rest to what appeared to be a ghost walking toward them. Imagine the fear, maybe even terror that could have gripped them in their emotional and physical depletion. What might this apparition do to them? They may have felt completely helpless and overwhelmed in that moment.
But Jesus…
Jesus knew the state of His friends and called to them. “‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid!'” (Matthew 14:27) One man, Peter, jumped to his feet, wanting to walk out to Jesus. The simple response was ‘Come.’ In a moment of sheer faith, Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water. But as the scene played out, Peter became overwhelmed by reality: he felt the wind and waves and lost his focus; he began to sink. Panicked, he cried out for Jesus to save him. A strong and mighty arm immediately pulled him from the raging waters, reminding Peter that his fear and doubt were out of place. 
You and I
Can you see yourself in this scene? How would you have reacted to the dire circumstances? I can imagine feeling completely and utterly overwhelmed. Would I have been willing to run out to Jesus, defying gravity to walk across the waves? Or would my internal dialogue have kept me in that boat?
The situation you find yourself in isn’t all that different from Peter’s. He was going about his business when suddenly everything changed and he found himself desperate and overwhelmed. Similarly, we are living in a changed world and there is a level of uncertainty that is unnerving. But just as Jesus knew the state of His friends, so He knows where you’re at. He knows what you are facing and whatever level of difficulty it poses for you. He presents Himself and His immediate response is the same – ‘Take courage! It is I…Don’t be afraid.’
What now?
Peter sank as he took his eyes off Jesus and focussed on his situation. His worries got the best of him and the faith that allowed him to do the impossible moments before, seemed to vanish. I relate so completely! I have the best intentions to follow and obey, set fear aside and keep my eyes on Jesus! But fear, doubt, insecurity, (fill in the blank), splash against my legs, distracting me from the Rescuer’s outstretched arm. I sink, overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings that contradict faith and trust.
We have a choice in every moment. In the middle of the storm, Jesus is there, walking toward us. He tells us we don’t need to be afraid. It is in proximity to Him, with risky faith and obedience, that we will know His rescue and protection. That doesn’t mean the situation will change or everything will turn out as you hope, but He will provide His peace, courage and wisdom. Release your fear and doubt to Him, trusting that His mighty arms are strong enough to rescue you each day.
If you are overwhelmed and require help in this season, please consider coaching or therapy. It would be a privilege to walk together with you.
You are not alone.
