by Lora Doncea
When we are physically, mentally, and spiritually strong, we can accomplish almost anything. However, there are times in life when we are completely overwhelmed. The responsibilities, demands, and problems of life seem impossible to keep up with. What can we do to regain our strength?
In Psalm 61, David describes a time when his heart is overwhelmed. As king of Israel, he had to deal with more problems and responsibilities than you or I ever will. Yet he knew the secret of getting back up, no matter how beaten down he felt.
“Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”
(Psalm 61:1-4 NKJV)
Feeling overwhelmed is mostly a problem of the heart, not an external problem. Yes, people and circumstances can devastate and upset us, but we can deal with them when our heart is strong in the Lord.
If your heart is overwhelmed, do what David did:
- Cry out to God. Over and over. Ask for help every minute if you have to. God is listening, He cares deeply about you, and He will answer you. He is willing to help you with everything, every second, in amazing ways.
- Ask God to protect your heart. David asked God to lead him to a high and solid rock, a place of shelter, a strong tower, shelter under His protective wings. His heart needed to feel safe. Your heart needs to feel safe, too. Spend private time with God every day in a “safe place” where you can freely pour out your emotions, hear His words of guidance, and receive His healing.
- Ask God to strengthen your heart. David was completely confident that God would strengthen him and lift him up.
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.”
(Psalm 138:3)“The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.”
(Psalm 145:14)
Do you feel overwhelmed? Don’t look outward, look inward—it’s a heart issue. Look upward—call out to God. He will answer your cries, help you, and strengthen your soul. With God’s help, you can successfully handle every physical, mental, and emotional situation in your life. In your “safe place” with God, you will discover that even in the midst of trials, you can rejoice in God’s goodness and faithfulness. David wrote Psalm 145 as a joyful song of gratitude relaying God’s goodness to all who call on Him for help. Make it your theme song, too!
Lora thoroughly enjoys editing fiction and nonfiction books for Christian authors. She views editing as a ministry, partnering with authors to make their writing polished and successful. She also writes a blog of “Savvy Writer Tips” to help writers spot and fix common problems. Read them on her website: EditsbyLora.com or on Facebook: SavvyWriterTips. Lora’s varied life experiences help her when editing. She’s been a recorded Christian musician, a computer and web programmer, a college teacher, and a Bible study leader. She spent years oil painting and loves photography. She recently exchanged life in the big city for a cabin in the mountains where she savors gorgeous scenery, diverse wildlife, and peaceful times with family and friends.
