Last night as I was getting ready to curl up for the night I felt overwhelmed!
Why? I can’t be certain. There were situations, beyond my control, that had been weighing on my heart. I had been in an attitude of prayer most of the day.
I knew I couldn’t go to sleep with the heaviness so I did what I told all of you to do, I took a break – a praise break!
“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” Psalm 61:1-3 NLT
I began to praise God for always being there – for being my rock, my strength, my shelter, my place of rest. It was a break worth taking!
I remembered, almost twenty years ago, I was listening to a Bill Gaither special on television and they sang this song:
“Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Oh lead me, yes Lord lead me
Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Thou hast been a shelter for me”
I needed this reminder that God has always been there for me and He always will be.
Have you ever come face to face with your failures and inadequacies? Have there been times you felt your strength wane? The devil likes to take times like these to flaunt our failures and our sins.
Overwhelmed?
God has the answer:
“Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me,
for I am overwhelmed by my troubles…4 My heart pounds in my chest…16 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe…22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55 NLT
Take a break – morning, noon or night – a praise break. Our Father has promised never to leave us or abandon us.
“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP
“ He carried our sins in His own body when He died on a cross. In doing this, we may be dead to sin and alive to all that is right and good. His wounds have healed you! 25 You were like lost sheep. But now you have come back to Him Who is your Shepherd and the One Who cares for your soul.” I Peter 2:24-25 NLV
Overwhelmed? by sickness or disease, by financial circumstance, by old age and weakness, by lack of qualifications or education
Whatever it is you feel is holding you back, God is greater than the circumstances. You aren’t alone! He promises to be your strength, your high tower. Take a break and give Him those overwhelming cares.