Overwhelm What Seeks to Overwhelm You
As a new college student, I often find myself overwhelmed. Between balancing classes, building new friendships, managing responsibilities, and navigating a future full of unknowns, it’s easy for stress and anxiety to take over. In this place of feeling small and unsure, the Lord has truly been teaching me how to overwhelm what seeks to overwhelm me.
In the Gospels, we see a remarkable example in Jesus of how to handle stress, pressure, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Though He was the sinless Son of God, Jesus often withdrew from the crowds, even from those desperately seeking His help.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” — Mark 1:35
Jesus wasn’t selfish for seeking solitude. He was wise. He understood that rest, retreat, and communion with God are not optional—they’re essential. At one point, He even urged His disciples to step away:
“Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” — Mark 6:31
Even in moments of deep distress, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shows us what to do when we are overwhelmed:
Be honest with God: Jesus told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34).
Seek support: He asked His disciples to keep watch and pray with Him.
Pray and surrender: Jesus fell to the ground and cried out to the Father (Mark 14:35).
We, too, face situations that overwhelm us—stress, fear of the future, trials, and challenges that feel like giants in our lives. When we are overwhelmed, we must remember:
God never gets overwhelmed.
God is constant, steady, and faithful.
David knew this truth when he cried out:
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2
The rock that is higher than us is God Himself. When we feel crushed, defeated, or anxious, God invites us to lean on Him as our refuge and shelter.
One of the greatest assaults of being overwhelmed is the attack on our perspective. When we compare ourselves to the size of the challenge, addiction, or trial in front of us, it feels impossible. But when we compare our giant to Almighty God, the perspective shifts.
This is where David’s story comes alive. When David faced Goliath, the men of Israel were terrified because they saw only the giant. They allowed Goliath to dominate the camera lens of their lives, leaving no room for God. But David refused to forget God’s nature, power, and faithfulness.
“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” — 1 Samuel 17:37
David remembered. And when he came against Goliath, he didn’t rely on his own strength but on the name of the Lord:
“I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.” — 1 Samuel 17:45
What’s overwhelming you today? Is it fear, depression, a health battle, finances, broken relationships, or addiction? Remember: the battle is the Lord’s. God never intended for you to carry the weight alone. When we surrender and depend fully on Him, He fights for us and through us.
Jesus is the Overcomer: He has already defeated sin, death, and hell (John 19:30).
You are not alone: Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
You are victorious: “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
When we come against what overwhelms us in the name of Jesus, we come with His power and authority. Depression, fear, disease, and lies have no chance against the name above all names: Jesus Christ.
The enemy wants to overwhelm you with lies, doubts, and fear. He wants you to believe you’ll always be stuck, defeated, and drowning. But God calls you to a different reality—a life of faith and freedom.
Faith trusts in God’s promises.
Faith rests in God’s flawless character.
Faith declares that God’s Word is reliable.
When David faced Goliath, he didn’t rely on his own strength. He relied on the faithfulness of God. When the Israelites shrunk back in fear, David stepped forward in confidence because he remembered what God had done in the past.
To overwhelm what overwhelms you, follow these truths:
Remember God’s faithfulness: Reflect on what He has already done for you—saving you, healing you, providing for you, and comforting you.
Shift your focus: Compare your giant to God’s limitless power, not to your own weakness.
Depend fully on God: The battle is the Lord’s. Trust Him to fight for you.
Stand firm in Jesus’ name: Come against your struggle in the name of Jesus, who has already overcome.
“With God all things are possible.” — Luke 1:37
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and like sheep, we are fully dependent on Him. In Psalm 23, we see that the Lord wards off enemies, restores our souls, and leads us to peace.
You may feel overwhelmed, but God desires to overwhelm what overwhelms you.
He fights for you.
He restores you.
He empowers you to walk in freedom and victory.
Let God overwhelm your fear, doubt, and struggle with His goodness, grace, and power. Let the enemy see your faith and tremble. Like David, refuse to be overwhelmed. Instead, declare:
“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” — Numbers 13:30
Trust in the Overcomer, Jesus Christ, who lives in you. Through Him, you are victorious. You are not defeated. You are more than a conqueror.
“Lord, I surrender what overwhelms me to You. I trust in Your power and faithfulness. Help me to remember who You are and what You’ve done. Overwhelm my fear with Your peace. Overwhelm my doubt with Your truth. In Jesus’ name, I declare victory over every giant in my life. You are greater, Lord, and I will trust You. Amen.”
Walk in freedom today. The battle is the Lord’s, and He has already won. Trust in Him and overwhelm what seeks to overwhelm you.
