Hope When Life is Overwhelming

 Life is Overwhelming

 

Have you ever had a child come home with LICE? I have more times than I ever wanted, once is more than enough and I’ve experienced this special treat 4 times. The amount of work that has to be done, all at once is very overwhelming. If it doesn’t all get done you might as well have done nothing. As one bug left behind is a disaster. Oh, how well I know the pain of overwhelming life circumstances. The most prominent being dealing with lice on one particularly hard day.

 

Lice – Again!

 

I’m in the kitchen working on getting a quick dinner together. My daughter sits at the kitchen table working on some homework. It’s late and I am so bone tired. I mean the physically, mentally and emotionally wrung out kind of tired. From the corner of my eye, I see her itching her head, Again! Not going to lie, I was tempted to ignore it, for now anyway. I just don’t know how or if I can even cope with this now. Like can it just wait… maybe next week I can deal with it, maybe. But No, I know it can’t wait. I go and start looking in her hair, her beautiful long hair.

 

My husband left me 2 days ago. I don’t know if he will walk back in tomorrow or file for divorce. This isn’t the first time he has left. My job is demanding and stressful, my boss unpredictable and harsh.

 

Of course, I find signs of lice. I want to scream; my head is reeling. I distinctly remember asking God how He could do this too me, “it’s just not fair Lord” Feeling like a nervous breakdown is coming for me, I wonder if that might not be so bad. It would give me a much-needed break, wouldn’t it?

 

I remind myself this it is not her fault, it’s not anyone’s fault. This is just part of life. Before I even check my son’s head, I pick up the phone and call my mom. If I had a dollar for each time I have called my mom in tears of overwhelm, I would have a nice sum by now.

 

Mom – My Life Saver in Times of Overwhelm

 

My mom is where I go first when life is too overwhelming. She has always given of her time and I am so grateful to her for that. She always lets me vent. Then she let’s me know that she too has felt as I feel, usually with an example or two. She tells me it will be okay; I will get through this. And then she says, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”

 

This has always brought to my mind a poem by Shel Silverstein called Melinda Mae, about a small girl who eats a whale. In the book there is a picture of this little girl at a table with a whale at least four times her size. When you turn the page there is a picture of a little old lady at the table with only bones left. It takes Melinda Mae 89 years to eat the whale as “she took little bites and shewed very slow.” And she did finish the whale, by eating one bite at a time.

 

 

Eating Elephants in Overwhelming Times

 

Have you ever seen a horse pulling a surrey? Did you happen to notice the blinders that come out to the sides of their eyes? This is because the horses can be spooked easily. Yes, horses get overwhelmed too. With the blinders on they can focus on just what is in front of them, which helps keep them calm. Eating an elephant one bite at a time is the equivalate of putting our own blinders on.

 

When in the midst of the overwhelm it becomes essential to tune out all the noise. In my experience I have found that taking the most pressing item with my blinders on and stay focused on only that until it is done. Then I can start on the next most pressing item. Looking at the whole to do list just feeds the overwhelm, which is unproductive and not at all helpful. I am not suggesting you run yourself into the ground until your whole list is done either. Just start, I always find that once I get a couple things done I can start to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

 

The times of great overwhelm can  be amazing times to draw closer to the Lord.  I always find tasks go by faster if I lift up a few prayers along the way. I also enjoy putting on some good worship music and singing along while I work. And I like to take a Bible verse or two to put to memory, taping copies of them up where I will see them often. These simple additions to my work can help me keep from the overwhelming thoughts and fears, thus helping me stay focused on one task at a time.

 

Staying Faithful When Life is Overwhelming

 

In the poem it took Melinda most of her life to eat her whale, but she did it.  I have realized that in all the years of eating my elephant one bite at a time God has been, and still is, teaching me what faithfulness is.

 

Yes, faithfulness is found in the overwhelm of life. Faithfulness is choosing to hold it together and stay where you are, when it is so tempting to fall apart or run away.

 

Jesus also experienced overwhelm in His time on earth. In the garden of Gethsemane He was so overwhelmed with what was happening that He was literally sweating blood. Jesus asked God to take away from Him the very thing He came to earth to do. To me this says a lot of how overwhelmed He must have felt. Jesus, the Son of God wanted to walk away from His very purpose as a man. But, He didn’t walk away, He was faithful when He said, “Your will be done.” He was being honest about how He felt, and still choosing to be faithful to His Father in heaven.

“And he said, “Abba Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”” Mark 14:36 ESV

 

 

From My Heat to Yours

 

Dear Reader, when you feel buried in the overwhelm know that you are not alone. I have struggled and stumbled through overwhelm as have many others. As long as there is sin in this world, we will have times in life that are overwhelming. Many are doing there best in the midst of overwhelm right along with you, just because it is not shared on social media does not mean you are along. Furthermore, we know that God is our helper, and because He has experienced overwhelm, He understands. Jesus was faithful in His time of overwhelm and He can help you stay faithful in your times of overwhelming life. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, repeat, and lean into Jesus. I think you may be surprised at the help He gives you.

 

Here are a few verses I have found helpful in the midst of overwhelming life.

 

Old Testament Verses

 

 

“And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient or thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Cor 12:9

 

“There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut 33:26-27a ESV

 

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord.” Ps 27:14

 

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1-2

 

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Is 40:31

 

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Is 41:10

 

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Is 43:2

 

 

New Testament Verses

 

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil4:6-8 ESV

 

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling or our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:15-16

 

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

 

Grace and Peace,

 

Debra Jean

 

I have also written on the 23rd Psalm which is always a source of comfort,

you can find that post here