There are times in my life that circumstances overwhelm. In these overwhelming moments, I panic, become anxious, and overthink. Deadlines at work, problems at home, pressures due from unmet goals, sickness, suffering, pain, broken relationships, and loss of a loved one might overwhelm us. Unwanted circumstances might burden us to despair, fear, sadness, and anxiety.
So, what do we do when circumstances overwhelm us?
The apostle Paul also found himself in an overwhelming circumstance. He was put in prison while he wrote Philippians. But amazingly, he still encouraged the readers of his letter to “rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” When we focus on overwhelming circumstances, we lose our joy. But when we focus on the Lord who is in complete control over our overwhelming circumstances, our hearts will be at peace. The object of Paul’s joy does not depend on the volatility and unpredictability of circumstances but his joy depends on the stability and trustworthiness of His Savior.
Brethren, this should be the case for us as well. Our God keeps us and holds us in the palm of His hand. No overwhelming circumstance can snatch us away from Him and that alone matters. He makes no mistake in allowing overwhelming circumstances to happen to us. As a matter of fact, He uses these things as tools to refine us to be more like Jesus Christ. He uses all things for our good. (Rom. 8:28) How comforting that truth is.
Let us surrender our burdens to God because we are not designed to bear the crushing weight of our burdens. Only God can do that. And He will bear our burdens and cares because He deeply cares for us. (1 Pet. 5:7) Let us cry out our pain and sorrows to God knowing He is near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. (Psa. 34:18-19) Let us seek the peace that surpasses the understanding that God gives to those who cast all things before His throne of grace in prayer and supplication. (Phil. 4:6-7)
God does not promise a storm-free life. Rough and overwhelming storms that want to make us sink are to be expected from this sin-stained and broken world with broken people in it. Nevertheless, He promises a storm-free heart through the peace that He will give us because He is our sovereign God in complete control of whatever storms might befall us. By His almighty power, He can calm the storms. How much more are our hearts?
By grace alone 