When Life Feels Overwhelming

Is it just me, or can life be scary at times? No, scratch that—terrifying. There's so much going on, not only in our own lives but in the world around us. And oftentimes, it's a lot to take in.

As I mentioned in this poem, being overwhelmed by life is something I deal with quite regularly, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Living in a broken world means fear and anxiety exists and are both ever-threatening problems.

At times things can feel like too much. Too much to catch up on, too much to take in, too much to think about. And when that happens, it can be hard to keep moving forward, to get out of that rut and start viewing life as the wonderful thing it is created by God.

So in this blog post to start off the New Year, I'll be compiling some helpful tips to do when this happens, and ones I refer to again and again.

1. Pray.

I used to think this was counter-intuitive. Like, literally? Take a break to talk to God when I'm already behind on an assignment? 😆 (Yes, this is how my brain works. Seriously.)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Phillippians 4:6-7

But the Bible says in every situation. It doesn't say just in some. In every single situation, no matter what we're doing, we should go to God. We should bring everything we're dealing with to Him, because nothing is too small or too large for His attention.

And too often, when I pray, I realize just why it's so important, and I'm filled with peace that can only come from Him. It's a reminder that as Christians, we should live renewed and refreshed in Christ, despite the circumstances.

2. Take a moment and just sit in the silence.

Silence is a gift from God, in so many ways. Our world is filled to the brim and anything but silence—varying opinions on social media, a barrage of the news, even just the voices of friends and family. But one thing that has come from all this noise that we practically live in is just how valuable silence is. But I daresay it's essential for a healthy life—the moments that you can just sit in silence and just be, giving those thoughts that are usually blocked by all the noise space to breathe.

Even Jesus went away and took time by Himself in the garden of Gethsemane, away from his disciples, to sit and pray before He was crucified.

3. Listen to music.

For those who know me, they know I literally listen to music 24/7. Sorry, not sorry. 😝 It doesn't work for everyone, but for me, certain songs and their messages give me such peace. It can be music from my childhood, a vacation, or any other event, but it helps to compile a playlist of "comfort music" with Biblical messages whenever life feels overwhelming and play it on repeat.

Some songs I love are "Dear God" by Cory Asbury, "I'll Be Okay" by Lydia Laird, and "When We Fall Apart" by Ryan Stevenson.

4. Put things into perspective.

Oftentimes, when the world feels overwhelming, small things are often blown out of proportion. For example, I'm working a night before a deadline and my mind whispers to me that nothing is worth it if I don't get this job done. That I should dedicate my sleep hours, my time with God, and time taking care of myself to finishing. That I won't live with myself if I can't.

I've found it so, so helpful to take a step back and really evaluate the situation.

Will not doing this thing sacrifice my long-term goals for my life? How important is it? Is it more important than taking care of myself and not getting any sleep? Is this thing worth it? Is this something I'm obligated to do?

Thinking about it in this way oftentimes shifts my mindset, and most likely shows me that this is a small enough thing that I shouldn't be wasting all my brain cells panicking about. Or a bigger thing I need to prioritize better. And that in turn eases the pressure and helps it become easier to do, or easier to drop. I've found that a lot of times, it's easier to panic instead of just putting things into a reasonable perspective.

And while I'm at it, I will say ... sometimes it's okay to not complete everything on your to-do list. Some days won't be perfect, and that's completely okay. Your to-do list does not define your worth, and never will.

5. Know that these days don't last forever.

Life is a series of roller coasters, and at times the ride will be smooth. Sometimes they'll be rough. Sometimes you may feel behind in life, or overwhelmed by the chaos, but know that these days will come and go. God is good, and with His help and the help of those He has placed in your life, you will have the strength to keep going.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10

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Now it's your turn!

Have you ever dealt with fear, anxiety, or the feeling of being overwhelmed by life? What are some things that have been helpful to you in those moments?

That's it for today, and stay tuned for more posts in the future! (Though fair warning, I may or may not be rethinking some platform things ... so some things may be a bit different). 😄

'Til next time!

~Em ✨ | E. C. Colton