Lately I’ve encountered a number of people who have been feeling overwhelmed at things they or those they love {family & friends} are going through in life.

I know the feeling. I’ve been there before.

This afternoon, I closed my eyes and pondered some things. I thought of the crisp white pages I write on, the seamless marks left on the paper or screen, the organised layouts.

I thought too of the early writers of the Bible. I imagine their writing experiences were a little different to mine. I picture manuscripts dusty with sand, blood spattered and tear-stained as the scribes wrote not only the inspired words given by God but at the same time their own experiences of life in all its rawness {His words, yet their story too}.

I believe the narratives we read, were recorded because these people were just like us, and we need to hear them. Their stories contain ‘endings’, whilst our own lives are only part lived out and not yet finished. We need to know how God ‘ends’ things.

//Overwhelmed// but God//

Esther… overwhelmed by responsibility. But God… saved.

David… overwhelmed by shame. But God… forgave.

Job… overwhelmed by grief and loss. But God… restored.

Hannah … overwhelmed by the desire to have a child. But God… responded.

Moses… overwhelmed by insecurity. But God… provided.

The woman caught in adultery … overwhelmed by fear. But God… showed mercy.

Jonah … overwhelmed by his calling. But God… enabled.

But God…

But God…But God…

But God…But God…

Those words are so reassuring. When all seemed hopeless, God: saw, heard, came, comforted, provided, encouraged, redeemed, loved, and made a way.

Not only is He all these things (amazing as they are!), but also, Jesus is one who empathises with us. He’s been here before, fully man, well acquainted with being hated, rejected and despised; entirely understanding of sorrow, suffering and grief (Isaiah 53:3).

If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that He is…

Immanuel – God with us

El Roi – God, who sees

Elohim – God, our strength

Jehovah/Yahweh Jireh – God, our provider

Jehovah/Yahweh Rapha – God, our healer

Johovah/Yahweh Shalom – The Lord, our peace

El Shaddai – God, all powerful

Jehovah/Yahweh Rohi – God, our shepherd (protector)

Jehovah/Yahweh Tsidkenu – God, our righteousness

Cry out, as David did,

“Oh God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Ps 61:1-4 New Living Translation).

Know that,

“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath” (The Message version), “The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope” (Contemporary English version), “The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged” (Easy-to-Read version), and “The Lord is near to the heartbroken. And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin) (Amplified version) (Ps 34:18).

Be encouraged!

Love,

A girl growing xx

Scripture references: The Holy Bible (several translations)

Photo credit: Jim Jackson at https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-man-young-lonely-48566/

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