23 Nov Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe you are fearful when you think about what the future holds? Perhaps it’s the unknown that is leaving you discouraged?

This past August Colby and I went to Colorado and there was something that was weighing heavy on my heart during the trip, so much so that I found myself feeling overwhelmed. Not only that but our trip was impacted by several of the fires that were burning throughout the state. After arriving in Colorado, we had to change our plans, which led to us visiting different parts of the state than we originally thought we would.

As we were making the drive from Breckendridge to Grand Lake, I remember being overwhelmed not only with a specific situation, as previously mentioned, but it also came about as I would look far ahead. We thought we were escaping the fires but unbeknown to us, we were actually heading in the direction of another one that had just started. Every time I looked in the distance all I could see was smoke.

It was during that trip that I remember the Holy Spirit speaking to me, “You are looking too far ahead. Focus on what is right in front of you. Don’t try to figure out what’s happening down the road.” He knew I needed that encouragement, not just for the physical fires that were burning around us, but for the other situation that was weighing heavy on my mind too.

The reality was when I would gaze right out the window, I would enjoy the scenery. It was absolutely stunning. But it was when I looked miles ahead, that I would get overwhelmed by the view of the smoke.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, perhaps the reason is because you are looking too far ahead, just like I was in Colorado.

I want to share Matthew 6:34 because what the Father whispered to me reminds me so much of this passage. It says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” This verse could not be any more direct — “Do not worry about tomorrow.” In other words, do not look too far ahead.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” And Hebrews 12:2 is another verse that tells us we need to fix our eyes on Jesus!

I want to remind you of this: It’s not your job to carry the unknown of the future on your shoulders, which is why when you do, it becomes overwhelming. It’s also not your job to worry about tomorrow, which is why when you do, you get discouraged. I am reminded of Matthew 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

You weren’t meant to carry the yoke of tomorrow; Jesus is.

My encouragement to you? Pay attention to what you are focusing on. Are you spending your time focusing on the unseen or the seen realm? Are you more focused on your natural circumstances than you are on God’s Word? Are you carrying the yoke of tomorrow? Are you trying to figure out what life will look like in 2021 or 2022 or even a month from now? Are you looking too far ahead instead of enjoying the view directly in front of you?

I can assure you this — our vacation became much more enjoyable once we stopped trying to assess the fires ahead and instead started enjoying what was directly in front of us. I believe that you too will be less overwhelmed when you start to fix your eyes on Jesus today instead of worrying about what tomorrow may hold.