WHEN YOU'RE OVERWHELMED
What To Do When - Part 1 of 4
October 16, 2005
Gerry White

Lord, I am overwhelmed, please come to my help.

Isaiah 38:14b (NJB)

Things that overwhelm you: grief, guilt, worry, grudges, responsibilities, circumstances.

Mary is:

  • 13 or 14 years old
  • Had an arranged marriage

God sent the angel Gabriel... to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph... Gabriel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!' Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 'Don't be frightened, Mary,' the angel told her, 'for God has decided to bless you.'

Luke 1:26-30 (NLT)

Implications of the news

  • Fear of criticism: What's everybody going to think?
  • Fear of the supernatural: Exactly how is this going to happen? What's going to happen to my body?
  • Fear of inadequacy: I'm going to be the mother of the Son of God?
  • Fear of change: How is this going to change my life because I know my life is going to be totally changed?

Here's the Principle: You usually feel overwhelmed right before you're about to be blessed.

1. LET GO OF MY NEED TO CONTROL THE SITUATION
[more overwhelmed, you redouble your efforts, try to control it, use hyper control, micromanage it, use force, use willpower to make it work]

Mary asked the angel, 'But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin'... the angel replied... 'Nothing is impossible with God!'

Luke 1:34 and 37 (NLT)

Here's the principle: Whatever is bugging you in your life, it's bugging you because you can't control it, you need to understand that although it's out of your control, it's not out of God's control.

Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true.'

Luke 1:38 (NLT)

[Hear submission and the attitude of surrender is the antidote and peace is the result]

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Proverbs 3:5 (Msg)

The Lord will work out His plans for my life.

Psalms 138:8 (NLT)

Three facts about God's plan for your life

  1. Is often bigger than your plan, because God has a bigger perspective.
  2. Is often more painful. [Nothing in your life is an accident. There is a purpose behind every problem.]
  3. Is always better. [God will always sacrifice short-term comfort in your life in order to gain long term glory in your life. God is not interested in making you comfortable. He is interested in preparing you for eternity. God will sacrifice short-term comfort to build character in your life that's going to bless you for eternity.]

2. LET OTHERS HELP ME OUT

Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:38-40 (Msg)

She was a very godly woman - married to a Priest.

She was an older woman - with a lot more life experience and could give advice.

She was pregnant - further along than Mary.

Here's the point - When you're overwhelmed, you need to find an Elizabeth.

  1. Find a strong believer - a spiritual partner
  2. Somebody a little bit older than you
  3. Somebody further along than you are

You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone... If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (CEV)

This is why you need a church family and small group. You need to get connected.
When to do it: Do it before the crisis happens.

Share each other's troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord's command.

Galatians 6:2 (LB)

3. LET GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH

You are blessed for believing that the Lord would keep His promise to you.

Luke 1:45 (GW)

[THERE ARE 7000 PROMISES IN THE BIBLE]

When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.

Isaiah 43:2 (TEV)

Where to find strength:

  • BY PRAISING GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS

Mary responded, 'Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior!'

Luke 1:46-47 (NLT)

  • BY THINKING ABOUT GOD'S WORD

Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Luke 2:19 (NLT)

I'm overwhelmed with sorrow! Sunk in a swamp of despair! ... But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right.

Micah 7:1 and 7 (Msg)

Prayer:

Father, I pray for those here who feel overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with responsibilities, time demands, deadlines, weighed down with worries, plagued by problems. Help them to experience new strength and energy today.

You pray: Father, I know I need to stop trying to control the uncontrollable. So right now, I'm letting go. I'm asking you to take charge of the situation and take control of my life. Jesus, I need you in my life. Forgive me for all the times I act like it all depends on me. Help me to let go of my pride and allow other people to help me. I want to get connected to your family so I can receive support and I can give it to others. Help me to remember to praise you and to think about your word when I feel overwhelmed. In Jesus Name.