4 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm, Part 3
4 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm, Part 3
Oh, the overwhelm. It wants to seep into our lives like a sneaky thief and run out the door with all of our peace. Sometimes it uses the power of suggestion. A friend shares that she is overwhelmed, and our mind decides that we should be overwhelmed as well. And other times things pile up, one on top of another and another and another, and we become buried – giving into it all. But… what if there was a better way?
If you have been following along, you know that we are looking at Ephesians 2. As I shared recently at a local women’s event, God showed me 4 steps we can take to overcome the overwhelm. You see we don’t have to stay here – we have an escape route.
Do you know anyone who needs this escape route? If it’s you, let’s get you to a new place. But if it’s not you, please share this post because we are living in a world filled with overwhelmed people who need to know this Biblically sound truth found in Ephesians. There IS a better way!
Our Escape Route…
1. Remember who you are. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
For those of us who have surrendered our life to Christ, He has made us alive in Him. We are no longer of this world. We have been made new. Our life should look different than that of those who do not know Him. We are already seated in the heavenly places and His promises are ours. We are His workmanship, His masterpiece, and He has a plan for us. His plan does not include walking around overwhelmed. 😉 We can partake of His presence, His provision and His promises.
2. Remember what He has done. (Ephesians 2:11-13)
God loved you so much He sent His son, so that if you believe in Him, you could be reconciled to God and have the hope of eternity with Him. Jesus left His throne, lived a perfect life in this fallen world and gave His life for us. Now, it’s our turn to give our life as a living sacrifice back to Him. We are to sacrifice our worldly desires and walk the path He has laid out for us. No longer doing everything our way but choosing to live His way.
And today we are adding…
3. Know peace (Ephesians 2:14-18)
If we know Jesus, we know peace. But sometimes, we forget what we know. We buy into the lies of this world. We listen to the hiss of Satan the same way that Eve did. What if it could be as simple as changing our thoughts? What if instead of believing lies, we chose to believe truth?
Let’s give it a try.
Instead of thinking, I am overwhelmed, which causes you to feel overwhelmed and ultimately act stressed and defeated.
What if we changed our thought? Today replace the thought that we are overwhelmed with the thought…
I know Peace.
If you know Jesus, you can declare, “I know peace.”
How does that make you feel? It feels good, doesn’t it? It feels calm.
What actions would we take? We might breathe a little easier, smile more, and lay down some of the weight we are carrying.
What is the result? We experience a little of His peace.
Practice this over and over again – every time you feel the overwhelm rising whisper, “I know Jesus so I know Peace”.
Let’s go deeper, breathe in these great truths…
Ephesians 2:14 says, For He Himself is our peace
Colossians 3:15 tells us, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
Isaiah 26:3 says, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Peace is ours. It is a gift we receive as a Daughter of the King. But if we are clutching our overwhelm to our chest, clinging to it, we are denying this gift. In order to receive God’s peace, we have to hand Him our overwhelm. It is only when we release everything to Him and our hands are empty that He can hand us His peace – His peace that passes all understanding.
Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and so is self-control. (Galatians 5:22) These fruits grow in our life as we connect to the True Vine (John 15:1-5) As we abide in Jesus, we produce these fruits in our lives.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Here are some practical ways to protect our peace…
1. Fix our eyes on Jesus. Like Peter, when we look away, we start to sink into the raging seas around us.
2. Ask yourself, who told you that? If the answer is not God, then it is sure to be a lie. So, when you think I am overwhelmed, ask who told me I am overwhelmed? It wasn’t God, so it is not my truth. My truth is
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2)
3. Love others and set healthy boundaries. Boundaries are needed for the believer to protect our character. We cannot be who God is calling us to be and not set boundaries. The boundaries are not punishment for others, but protection for us. So, allow God to help you define the lines you will not cross. Ask Him to reveal if your overwhelm is caused by people pleasing, approval seeking, and our own insecurities. Then spend time with Him and do the work to break free.
Today, you have a choice. Will you trust God’s promises (letting His peace rule in your life) or will you rely on yourself and reject the peace that He offers to you?
Sweet friend – His perfect peace is yours. Look up. Remember Who He is and What He has done for you. Keep your mind on Him and trust Him. Partake of His peace.
Join us next week for Part 4 of our escape route (and if you missed part 2 or part 3, be sure to go back and read those).
Love & prayers for peace,
Pam
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