Feeling overwhelmed is a common human experience. Life can often feel too busy, too stressful, or too difficult to handle. During these times, it’s easy to feel utterly overwhelmed. Thankfully, the Bible offers much wisdom and comfort for those struggling with feeling overwhelmed.
God understands when you feel overwhelmed
A key truth is that God understands when you feel overwhelmed. He knows your limitations and that life can feel too heavy at times. Psalms 103:14 says “for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” God remembers that humans are finite creatures, limited in strength and prone to weariness. You can take comfort knowing that feeling overwhelmed does not take God by surprise. He understands.
Ask God for help and strength when feeling overwhelmed
The Bible encourages asking God for help and strength when feeling overwhelmed. Psalms 61:2 says “from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” God is our rock and source of strength when weak. Another verse, Psalms 46:1 states “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” We have a powerful, loving God who wants to be our helper in times of need. Go to Him when feeling overwhelmed.
God can bring peace in overwhelming times
Even when life feels out of control, God is able to bring supernatural peace and comfort. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages, “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.” By praying to God about concerns and thanking Him, His peace can guard stressed hearts.
Take breaks when overwhelmed
The Bible shows the importance of taking breaks when overwhelmed. In Mark 6:30-32, the disciples had been working nonstop and Jesus tells them “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Periods of rest are essential when dealing with overwhelm. Exodus 23:12 also tells us to “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” God mandated breaks into the rhythm of work-life for good reason.
Ask others for help when overwhelmed
Another biblical solution for overwhelm is to ask others for help when needed. Galatians 6:2 says “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We are not meant to carry heavy burdens alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 also says that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” It is wise to ask trusted friends and family for support during overwhelm.
Give your worries to God
Rather than be consumed by all your worries, God encourages giving them to Him. 1 Peter 5:7 says “…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Release the burden of worry to God through prayer. Psalms 55:22 also says “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Transferring worries to God helps prevent feeling emotionally overwhelmed.
Trust in God’s sovereignty during overwhelm
At the root of feeling overwhelmed is often a loss of perspective on God’s sovereignty. When life feels out of control, remember that God is ultimately in control. Isaiah 40:28 says “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary.” God has supreme power and authority over all situations. Place trust in His plans over yours.
Praise and thank God to ease overwhelm
Praising and thanking God is an antidote to being consumed by overwhelm. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Praise shifts focus to God’s power and goodness. Psalms 92:1 proclaims “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High.” Lifting your eyes to praise God lifts overwhelm off your shoulders.
Know that God is with you in overwhelm
One of the most comforting biblical truths is that God promises to always be with you. Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Wherever we go in life, including times of feeling overwhelmed, God is by our side. We are never alone in carrying heavy burdens.
Rely on God’s Word to fight overwhelm
Reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture equips us to battle overwhelm. In Psalms 119:50 the writer says “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” God’s Word contains many comforting promises to cling to. It also renews our thinking, reminding us of Kingdom priorities during earthly stresses. Saturating your mind in Scripture counteracts overwhelm.
Obey God one step at a time
When facing many responsibilities, focus on obeying God one step at a time rather than becoming anxious about everything at once. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Take things one day at a time and follow God’s leading step-by-step.
Let go of control to God
Much overwhelm comes from trying to be in control rather than releasing control to God. But God asks us to trust Him rather than rely on our limited human understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Releasing the need for control to God relieves self-imposed pressure.
Believe God’s promises about future hope
When current troubles feel endless, remember God’s promises about the future. Jeremiah 29:11 says “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Cling to the truth that God promises a future filled with goodness, prosperity and hope.
Rest in God’s presence
As busy humans, we can simply neglect spending quality time resting in God’s presence. But Exodus 33:14 says “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Actual rest, beyond just sleep, is found in God’s presence. Sitting quietly with God calms the soul during overwhelm. Be still and know He is God.
Cry out honestly to God
God invites honest expression of emotions, even crying out in distress. The psalmists model raw, uncensored prayers to God amid despair. Psalm 13:1-2 says “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” God listens compassionately as we vent overwhelm.
Trust in God’s timing
Learning to trust God’s timing over our preferred timing soothes overwhelm. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God “has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” God’s perfect timing often differs from our finite perspective. But His timing is flawless.
Take refuge in God
The safest place during seasons of overwhelm is finding refuge in God. Psalms 57:1 exclaims “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” God’s protection is a secure fortress when trials feel overwhelming. Run to Him as your shelter from the storm.
Trust God to fight for you
Rather than exhaust yourself trying to fight overwhelm alone, trust God to battle on your behalf. Exodus 14:14 encourages, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” When overwhelmed, be still and allow God to step in as divine warrior. Victory belongs to Him.
Receive strength from God
Human strength runs out, but God offers unlimited strength that replenishes when depleted. Isaiah 40:29-31 says “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Rely on God to be your strength.
Meditate on biblical truth
Combat lies and unhelpful thinking by meditating on biblical truth. Joshua 1:8 instructs, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Meditating on God’s Word renews the mind during overwhelm.
Surrender self-sufficiency
The temptation during overwhelm is to depend on our own self-sufficiency. However, God calls us to surrender self-reliance to Him. 2 Corinthians 3:5 proclaims “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” Yielding to God’s supernatural strength brings freedom.
Ask others to pray for you
Don’t underestimate the power of asking others to pray for you when overwhelmed. James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Supportive prayer from Christian community can make a huge difference.
Trust in God’s character
At the core of trusting God amid overwhelm is believing in His good character. Lamentations 3:22-23 says “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Meditating on God’s compassion, love, and faithfulness builds trust.
Keep an eternal perspective
Battling overwhelm requires an eternal perspective beyond current troubles. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 urges, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”
Remember previous times God helped you
Reflecting on specific times God brought you through past overwhelm breeds courage. 1 Samuel 17:37 reminds, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Recalling God’s faithfulness in detail equips you to trust Him now.
Take comfort in God’s compassion
God has an overflowing reservoir of compassion for those feeling overwhelmed. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes Him as “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” You can rest in His gentle care.
When life gets too heavy, the Bible offers profound peace, comfort, and practical wisdom. God deeply cares about our pain and exhaustion when overwhelmed. He invites us to come to Him in such times. The Bible reveals a caring God big enough to handle all of our burdens when they feel too heavy to bear alone.