Have you ever felt frozen in place? Wondering what your next step should be? And not just wondering—panicking—might be a better term.

That’s been my experience as I take the steps to publish my novel. Amazingly though, I keep putting one foot forward, trusting that this is the path God has led me to walk on. I pictured it like the photo above, stepping into the tide of overwhelm, and instead of the waves crashing over me, the water flows around me.

Let’s look at some scriptures that help us when we feel overwhelmed.

Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.

But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭7‬, ‭16‬, ‭22‬ ‭NLT

There was a lot more in that Psalm, but I pulled the gist of it out for my purpose here. David was no stranger to feeling afraid and overwhelmed, but he also had faith. He tells us the Lord will rescue, he will take care of us. I sense there was no doubt in his mind about those things. David was able to have faith and be open about his fears. There is no shame in admitting our circumstances are too much for us.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

“For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1b‬-‭3‬a ESV‬‬

Sometimes we face outside forces, circumstances beyond our control. My own overwhelm is by choice—publishing a book—I would identify my overwhelm as fear of the unknown or fear of making a mistake. Eek! I find comfort in the word of God.

I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT

This translation made me chuckle when I read “and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.” I could picture this comically. Or as if Jesus was walking beside me with the only pair of binoculars available, relaying we’re getting closer, you’re almost where I want to show you the view from the mountain top.

That’s it for today. Except, I had a new like on an old post, so I reread it. If your overwhelm is aggravated by chronic pain, check out Time Mush.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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