Has your heart ever been overwhelmed? Have you ever felt besieged by the storms of life? Inundated with problems of all sorts? Have you ever felt that you just couldnβt take it anymore?
In times like this, what do you do? Do you succumb and surrender to these storms? Do you allow yourself to accept failure or defeat? Do you feel sorry for yourself and throw a pity party? No way!
You keep standing β in the midst of the storm β you keep declaring that Godβs Word is true. You keep pressing into Him and His Word, and you keep holding fast to your faith.Β
Psalm 61:2 KJV saysβ¦when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.Β
The Contemporary English Version of Psalm 61:2-4 says, I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God.Β
When you feel overwhelmed, when you begin to feel hopeless, when you lose heart, cry out to the Lord. He is your Rock, your Strong Tower, your Safe Refuge from the storms of life. Remind yourself that the God you serve is a mighty God. He will protect you. He will keep you safe. And He will deliver you. Always.
Everyone goes through difficult tests and trials. Weβve all felt overwhelmed and hopeless at one time or another. But it is not okay to continue feeling that way β not when Almighty God is your Father!
You must put yourself in remembrance of Godβs great love for you. You must remind yourself of His faithfulness and of all the times He has come through for you. You must refuse to waver in your faith and trust in Him.
Psalm 34:19 says, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
We are guaranteed afflictions, but we have a promise that the Lord will deliver us out of them all.
We must be so grounded in the Word of God that when we face these tests, trials, afflictions, storms, and outright assaults from the enemy, we will not waver, be swayed or shaken.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT), Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.
The storms of life will come, but you donβt have to be swept away by them. Instead, you can just stand firm with your feet planted on the solid rock of Godβs Word. Though the storms may come and the winds may blow, you will remain steadfast and immovable because of the Word of God that is in your heart.
You will look the storms in the eye and laugh because they are powerless to harm you. You are sheltered safe within God, your Refuge. Nothing can by any means harm you. No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Storms come and storms go, but those who remain fixed and stable on the Solid Rock will weather the storms and grow stronger still.
Just like David, we must learn to βencourage ourselves in the Lordβ (1 Sam. 30:6), and we do that by reminding ourselves of the Lordβs great faithfulness to us in times past, and by meditating on scriptures that speak of His goodness and faithfulness to us.
I have a included a few scriptures for you to remember when your heart is overwhelmed. These are just a starting point. If you would like a FREE printable of even more scriptures to help you stand in the midst of a storm, sign up below and we’ll send it to you.
- Psalm 91:2 (KJV) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
- Isaiah 54:17 (NKJ) No weapon formed against you shall prosper…
- Luke 10:19-20 (NKJ) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Alisha, thank you for this…YES – Keeping our eyes on HIM – it is so important….as storms have raged these past few weeks, I hear His words whispering in my ears…and my heart, I would not hear them….if I had not read them. Thank you for continuing to encourage – many blessings sweet sister!
Amen. Aren’t you glad you’ve hidden His Word in your heart during the “calm” seasons so that it would be there during the storms? He is faithful! Much love & prayers for you today, dear friend!
Stopping by from Miscellany Monday and what an inspirational posts. I have certainly been overwhelmed by the storms of life, especially in recent years. The loss of my Mom and the ill health of my Dad have at times been almost more than I could bear. But, the strong arm of the Lord has and always will see me through. I do not know how those without HIM ever survive.
Nice to meet you and I look forward to stopping by again!
Thank you for visiting, Lea. Aren’t you so grateful for His great faithfulness? He will never fail us nor forsake us. Praying for you today. Blessings, Alisha
“When you feel overwhelmed, when you begin to feel hopeless, when you lose heart, cry out to the Lord. He is your Rock, your Strong Tower, your Safe Refuge from the storms of life. ” Reading these words I can imagine God opening up His arms to us in our weakness and lifting us up as I do my kids in their storms. Thank you for this. I needed it. π
Amen, Michelle. I love the picture you describe. His arms are always open to us! He is so good — such a wonderful Father! Praying for you today, friend!
Alisha, I have to admit I often throw a (small) pity party, at least for a moment (or day, whatever it takes). I imagine Jesus shaking his head, as in “Here she goes again….” π
And then I snap out of it. He’s never let me down before, and He never will!
Lovely post. I’m tweeting and posting it to my FB page to share!
Lol, Ellen! This post came about one day when I was about to throw my own pity party…I corrected that very quickly. π I’m so thankful the Lord reminded me that He will never let me down! Thank you so much for sharing the post!
What an encouraging post and grouping of scriptures! We are so blessed to have the Rock to stand on.
Yes we are, Tereasa! He is amazing! Blessings, Alisha
So wonderful – thank you for this! π
You’re welcome! π
Bless you for sharing this.
God bless you, Denise! π
You are so faithful at offering encouraging messages Alisha and pointing us to Scripture. Thanks for sharing with WIP!
Thank you, Mary Beth, for your wonderful blog to link up with! π
What a GREAT post Alisha!! So needed this reminder: But it is not okay to continue feeling that way β not when Almighty God is your Father! You are so right! Blessings!
Almost forgot, THANK YOU for the printable!! Already printed it & posted it on my desk π Sooo needed it!!
Lol, Kim! You’re welcome! I’m so glad because God’s Word is powerful!!! Blessings, Alisha π
This post is timely for me. I have two close relatives who are battling cancer, deciding whether or not to go further with great,ent. I am overwhelmed. Thank you for linking and this beautiful post.
Praying for you, Theresa, that God’s peace will flood your heart & mind during this difficult time. His grace is sufficient! Blessings, Alisha
Isn’t wonderful that we can seek and rely on HIM in the midst of all of our storms? Love it!!! Blessings to you my friend. π
Amen, Sherri! We have an awesome Father & He will never let us down! π
Overwhelmed… Yes, that would definitely describe me this week. Thank you for faithfully sharing God’s word and linking up with Thrive @ Home. You are a blessing!
Thank you, Jenni, for allowing us to link up! You are a blessing too! π
Thank you so much for this post. It was absolutely what I needed. I’ve been dealing w/depression on and off since my mom died almost 2 yrs ago. She passed away Dec 26, we went 10 days in hospice w/her in a coma. 2 weeks ago my best friend decided she no longer wanted to be my friend. A lot of hurtful things were said on both sides. Since then, I’ve gone thru offense, anger, and I did go thru some depression as of lately. but I know God brought me thru before, I will go thru again.
Danielle, I am so sorry for the pain you have been going through. I pray that the Lord will overwhelm you with His love and compassion, and turn your sorrows into joy! He is so good and so faithful. Though everyone else may forsake us, He never will! Blessings to you, Alisha
Some wonderful truths here Alisha. Thank you for the time and effort you put into producing this post and printable. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Wendy! Blessings to you today!!
As I have been feeling MAJORLY overwhelmed these past few weeks, I am definitely going to be taking a lot of this scripture to heart! π
Our hearts can become bitter and hard if we are not careful to remember that God has a grand design for our lives. He said He would use all those things to mold us and keep our hearts tender.
Great post and a great reminder!
Thank you for visiting, Shirley, and thank God for His wisdom & grace in our lives! Blessings to you, Alisha
Thank you for sharing this encouraging post. No matter how severe the storm, we need to always remember who it is that calms the storms.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Amen, Charlotte! He is so good!
As I read your post I thought of the words to the hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Martin Luther. As he hid from his enemies in the castle/fortress, what reassurance he must have had reading Ps. 91:2. Thank you for linking up with us at No Ordinary Blog Hop. Every blessing, Kelly
Ooh! That’s so good, Kelly! While I was writing this post, I kept thinking of the hymn, It is Well with My Soul. No matter what storms we go through in life, it can be well with our souls because our God is a Mighty Fortress of protection from them! He is faithful! Blessings to you, Alisha
Another beautiful hymn! Funny how such oldies come back. They are so full of good theology.
I love the old hymn, “Oh! sometimes the shadows are deep, And rough seems the path to the goal, And sorrows sometimes how they sweep, Like tempests down over the soul, O then to the Rock let me fly
To the Rock that is higher than I.” What an encouraging post. And such a lovely gift. I’m going to print a few to give away to some friends facing some storms.
Another great hymn –love it! We may have to do a hymn “link-up”! π Blessings to you, Pamela!
Alisha…what reassurance that we do serve a mighty God! Thank you for the print out with scripture to keep us encouraged as well. I am going to print it out. I’m also glad you shared this at WJIM this week. Blessings friend.
Amen, Naomi! Isn’t He wonderful? You are a blessing!! Have a great week! π
Came upon your blog through Good Morning Girls….Thank you so much. I loved this post and it came at the right time. I also printed out the print out and I am hanging it around my house. God bless you!
Praise God! He is so faithful to give us what we need — just when we need it! Thank you for visiting, Betty-Jo. May God bless you & your family! ~ Alisha
Thank you for this post. Currently, I am facing the worst storm I have ever faced. My 9 mointh old grandson is awaiting a heart transplant.
I pray daily…hourly…every moment. I ask God to calm my anxious heart and I seek the peace that passeth all understanding. He’s been generous. God is just so faithful!
I’m so glad I found this blog. I’m bookmarking.
Heather, you are exactly right — God is so faithful! He will never fail you, forsake you, nor let you down! May His wonderful peace flood your heart and mind during this difficult time. I pray that your grandson will receive the heart he needs and will grow up healthy and strong as a testimony to God’s great faithfulness. Blessings to you and your family, Alisha
I love Ps. 61:2. I have it posted on my blog. It’s a verse I recite when I need to remind myself I’m not in charge and life will work out according to His will. I enjoyed this post.
Thank you, Laura! Yes, Psalm 61:2 is a great reminder to trust in the Lord and His wisdom and goodness! Blessings, Alisha
Hope you don’t mind I’m going to give out copies of this at my women’s bible study.
I would love for you to share it! Blessings, Alisha π
I have been living in this never ending nightmare for almost five years now. It just keeps getting worse. It is so hard to believe it will ever get better. I had to call the police on Sunday because my husband became so angry. He was arrested and now I am lost.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Darlene. Praying for you & your family. May the Lord’s grace & protection be over you.
Alisha, I came across your post from a google search on this verse. Your post and the comments of your readers are indeed encouraging. I feel like my world has crumbled around me and fear is overwhelming. I know I am saved because I trusted Jesus as my savior, but the despair is too much. I needed to be reminded of Bible truth and that God loves me regardless of how bad I have messed up. I need to be reminded of that right now. Thank you.
Praying for you, CE, that you will sense the comfort & encouragement of the Lord through this difficult time. He *does* love you & He will never let you down. Keep His Word in your heart and mouth through these trying times. You WILL come through victoriously! Blessings to you, Alisha