When You Are Overwhelmed

“I gotta do this, gotta do that, gotta-gotta-gotta …” Have the “gotta’s” got ya? Have you been so trapped or overwhelmed that there is no joy in your days? Are you accidentally teaching your children that adulthood is nothing but endless tasks?

When we’re feeling overwhelmed, it can remind us to come up for air and assess our situation. What are we aiming for? Who set that standard? Who are we trying to impress? Are we in danger of making productivity an idol? What are our motivations for taking on so much? Is this workload just for a season, or is it becoming a habit? Is there truly no one else who can help?

Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

Matthew 6:34 (CEV)

Usually, the driving force behind being overwhelmed is anxiety. Jesus has significant and beautiful things to say about anxiety. Just after telling us to set our hearts on treasures in heaven, he says not to worry about our life. He brings to our minds the image of God feeding the birds without their efforts. And he has us consider the flowers—how their beauty comes without labor.

The Lord grows the flowers a little each day. He has them bloom in their season. Likewise, he gives us just what we need to take on today. Jesus ends by saying: Do what is set before you to do now, and let tomorrow’s troubles come tomorrow.

Often, our anxiety comes because we are worrying about more than we can handle today. Trying to do too much is an unreasonable standard. We are attempting to control what is not ours to control.

Take a deep breath! Feed the closest “alligator” and let God take care of the rest. Trust him for what you cannot do. As Solomon says, it is good for us to do our work and find joy in it (see Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12–13, 22). Work to model for your children a reasonable standard of work, a proper trust in God, and a happy, balanced life.

PRAY

Father, I am easily overwhelmed by all the things I need to do. But I really believe you do not want us to live this way. Help me do what you have for me today, without letting anxiety take hold. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What do you need to do today? Will God help you do it?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand their Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Look up the following passages for today:

Ecclesiastes 3:12–14

Matthew 11:28–30