Overwhelmed and Alone

It’s 9PM. Life starts whispering…

You’re feeling overwhelmed and alone. Life whispers, “You failed your essential oil members again. Why can you not be consistent? Stepping back a little was a mistake. Live like no one else now in order to live like no one else later.” Your logic knows the lies, but the emotional turmoil ensues.

It’s now 9AM. Earlier in the day you wonder at how sad it is that you can’t seem to feel any more emotion regarding the violence in the world. That is until you see a pick up truck under the bridge near your kids’ school, and all you can start to think about is bombs and school shootings and the intruder drill that the school had just a few weeks ago. Then those hidden emotions hit you full force. Again, your logic knows the lies, but the emotional turmoil ensues.

You feel overwhelmed and alone.

Thank goodness for moms who can lend an ear, a word of advice, and a quick prayer. Then you think about all those who don’t have a mom, either physically or emotionally present, and worry sets in about your own mom.

You feel overwhelmed and alone.

These feeling are nothing new. They’re the same lies of inadequacy and isolation that like to spring up time and time again. You’re not a good friend. You’re a nagging wife. You’re ungrateful for all that you have been given.

Oh, the emotional turmoil. The spiritual agony. The lies.

Caught up in the sea of emotional despair, true focus is lost. How many of us are drowning?

But what is true focus? Where is truth? Is there hope?

“He said, ‘Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Mt. 14:29-31

Like Peter, we start to drown when we lose our focus on Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I am as distractible as a child. We are encouraged to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given you as well.” But how often do I divert my gaze?

What are my goals, my dreams, and my plans if I don’t first seek God? How long will I inhale water as I’m swimming in the “depths of despair,” as Anne Shirley would say, before I return my gaze to the one who will make all things right?

All I have to do is Trust Him.

Oh, but how difficult that can be at times.

Know, that even when it gets overwhelming, you are not alone.

♥ Nicole