Overwhelmed?

Years ago, a woman of God who I respected and learned a great deal from taught me that if I was overwhelmed, that’s a tale-tale sign I haven’t been spending time in the Word, with the Prince of peace.

Bam! Ikr? Right between the eyes! Didn’t have to wonder what she was trying to say.

All these years later, other people I’ve had respect for have taken more of the stance of grace and the route of incessantly encouraging me and others if we are overwhelmed. While this has been water to the soul for me and no doubt for many when we find ourselves overwhelmed, there is also still great value in taking responsibility and going to the root of the issue of overwhelm.

I can encourage you if you are overwhelmed and that will help you in the moment. But if I want to offer long term solutions, I would add to my encouragement, practical wisdom to keep you from drowning in overwhelm over and over again in the future.

Let’s look at what the word, overwhelm means:

verb
1. bury or drown beneath a huge mass.”the water flowed through to overwhelm the whole dam and the village.”
• defeat completely.

give too much of a thing to (someone); inundate.

Do you feel inundated with too much given to you? Are you drowning under an insurmountable pile of tasks, problems, or circumstances that have amassed beyond what it seems you can handle? Do you see complete defeat when you look at a relationship you care about? Have you had to pick up the pieces after a failed business, marriage, or endeavour of some kind?

Or maybe for you, the overwhelm is simply over day-in-and-day-out kind of complete defeat like a to-do list that isn’t budging or a a project that is all consuming.

What’s overwhelming you? I want to encourage you that you’re probably doing better than you think. I’d also like to suggest that you check yourself when you feel overwhelmed to ask yourself if you are trusting God in this same moment you are feeling overwhelmed? If we are honest, we cannot be overwhelmed and in faith at the same time. Condemning yourself for that is not going to do any good and so I am not suggesting for you to feel guilty for “not being in faith”. That is not helpful. What is helpful is to locate your fear or anxiety. It’s also a good idea to ask yourself “Where is this overwhelm actually coming from?” Often you will find it isn’t even coming from what you think. It’s a layer or two deeper from the surface situation you say and think it is. Ask yourself why 7 times to unravel the overwhelm and get to the bottom of it so you can cut it out of your life at the very root of the overwhelm, not just for today but forever.

I’ve noticed that overwhelm can become nothing more than a habit. Sometimes, it’s a result of a cognitive distortion. Other times, it’s connected to a limiting belief that has to be faced head on with the truth of the matter. And of course, overwhelm is understandable, even valid, but also it does not have to dominate or consume you. That’s a choice. Not always an easy one.

If any of this sounds like something you would like to know more about, please DM me on Instagram and let’s chat and see if I can maybe help you locate what is keeping you constantly feeling overwhelmed.

Jesus came to free you from this. The chastisement (aggravation) of your peace was upon Him. This means if you are born again, it is your right to live a life free from overwhelm. This is good news and if you want to know more about this, let’s set up some Happy Coaching! You can check it out at adriennecooley.com .

I hope this week’s blog was both encouraging and empowering to you! I pray you see a marked difference in this area as you spend more time with the Prince of Peace inviting Him into each overwhelming circumstance as you pray without ceasing. And I pray these clarifying questions help you locate the root so you can overcome and soar above whatever has been overwhelming you!

Am I saying you will never feel overwhelmed again? No, I have to fight this good fight of faith but what I am saying is you can fight it and with the right tools, you can fight it successfully and rise above it.

XO,

Adrienne