Feeling Overwhelmed in WidowhoodSample

Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me. A strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever. Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

Psalm 61: 2-4 (AMP)

Psalm 61 is read as a heartfelt cry from King David. It was written when both the kingdom and his family were in division and disarray. David is feeling overwhelmed. He asks God to give him a higher perspective, to see above all the overwhelming problems in front of him. In the midst of the mess, he reminds himself that God is his refuge, his very present help in times of trouble. David knew that no matter how bad things seemed to be, there was a place he could always turn for help.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you felt paralyzed to move forward, or so emotionally exhausted that you knew if you had to make one more decision you would end up a puddle on the floor? Maybe the breaking moment came when you were working through the bills and logistics in the weeks after your husband passed. Maybe it was months later, in the produce section, while shopping for groceries, or when you were stuck in traffic between your son's baseball game and your daughter’s dance rehearsal.

The good news is that you are not emotionally unstable, you are not a weak woman, and you are not crazy. Having those moments where you feel overwhelmed is normal. In fact, they will happen to all of us. But we cannot allow those moments to completely paralyze us from moving forward. David prayed, “I call as my heart grows faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” In other words, he’s asking God, ”Lead me forward; help me see this from a higher perspective, It’s too big for me, but I know it’s not too big for You!” God can and will help you move forward and all He asks of us is to cry out and share those burdens with Him. So do that today with whatever overwhelming thing(s) you may be facing.

QUESTIONS:

Have you ever felt embarrassed about being emotional? What has helped you in those emotional moments?