Do you remember the last time you felt overwhelmed?

I do — last week. Twice in one day.

And it’s embarrassing what led to those overwhelmed feelings. One was a run-in with my nemesis (aka computer), and the other was simply an uncomfortable, unfamiliar situation. Nothing life-threatening in the least. Nothing even remotely bad. I just let them get the best of me.

Until I sensed God saying to me, “Pam, you’re overwhelmed by these things, because you’re not overwhelmed by Me right now. Get back to that place of being overwhelmed by who I am — for you, in you, and through you.”

As I type this, I’m reminded of when Jesus said, “‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42). (And we all know what Mary chose.)

It was time to take a deep breath and refocus on Him who should overwhelm me completely.

Overwhelmed by God

Every pore of our being needs to be overwhelmed by our God and the truth of all that He is. Otherwise when those stressful times blind-side us, all of the dry, cracked, weary, God-thirsty space inside us will quickly become overwhelmed by all the wrong things instead.

The truth is — the center of our focus will always get the best of us.

If I’m diligent to make sure that my focus stays on God, then He will constantly give me way more of His overwhelmingly indescribable self and His promises to dwarf any situation in comparison. It puts everything in perspective according to who He is.

And I know my God well enough to know that even in those times of my life when I’ve been overwhelmed by much greater life-altering situations, He has always provided the hope, peace, wisdom, and victory that I so needed in the moment. He is always faithful. Always loving. Always forgiving. Always here.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).

A Life of Worship

And worship?

Being overwhelmed by God needs to be my priority so that I will live a life that never fails to worship Him – both on my knees and in how I live my life. It will propel me into a life of worship!

Not there yet? That’s OK. Ask God to reveal more of Himself to you and to help you wait, see, and respond with all you are. He loves answering our seeking prayers.

The song “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy Weave has become one of my favorites. Take a few minutes to listen to it so you can be overwhelmed with me by the truth of who our God is!

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed, and how did you deal with it?

Originally published at pamelahaddix.com. Reprinted with permission.

Pamela Haddix is a musician who’s been both a worship leader and a missionary with music, and she’s the author of Worship and the Word: a Bible Study. She and her husband, John, live near Grand Rapids, Michigan.