Overcoming When You Feel Overwhelmed

1. You Are Destined to Overcome

God is still working it out while you are walking it out.

Divine orchestration. Your life is part of a larger, prophetic journey orchestrated by God, even when circumstances feel chaotic or out of control. Just as the basket maker, slingshot maker, or innkeeper unknowingly played a role in biblical history, your seemingly ordinary actions or difficult seasons can be part of God's extraordinary plan. He is always working behind the scenes, setting up divine appointments and opportunities.

Purpose in pain. What you are currently going through—heartbreak, addiction, depression, loss—can be the very thing God uses to lead you to your destiny. Sometimes, losing something, like Saul losing his father's donkeys, is the necessary detour that leads you to encounter God's prophet and discover your true calling. God uses what is missing or what you are seeking (like peace or meaning) to guide you back to His path.

Stop chasing distractions. Donkeys represent the unimportant distractions that keep us from God's bigger plan. The enemy wants to keep you busy, anxious, and paralyzed by confusion, but God has amazing things planned. It's time to stop chasing trivial things and realize you are headed for the throne, a king or queen in God's Kingdom, destined for productivity and purpose if you let go of the baggage holding you back.

2. We Are Living in Perilous End Times

The battleground is not only in the heavens; it's also being waged between your ears.

Fierce times. The Bible warns that in the last days, perilous times will come, characterized by people living for self, arrogance, disobedience, unholiness, and a barrage of evil thoughts assaulting minds. This moral, spiritual, social, and financial crisis feels like the world is collapsing, and the enemy is making an all-out attempt to seize this generation through technology and constant sensuality.

Crossing the Rubicon. We have reached a point of no return as a society, enacting laws and forging alignments contrary to God's laws. The removal of prayer and the Bible from public schools, legalized abortion, and the redefinition of marriage are examples of lines crossed. This era of "cancel culture" calls right wrong and evil good, and a dangerous silence has fallen over the Church regarding end-time truths.

Acceleration of events. While previous generations believed Jesus could return in their lifetime, our generation is the first to see nearly every end-time biblical prophecy fulfilled and accelerating. The signs parallel the days of Noah and Lot, where societal norms became increasingly contrary to God's design. Despite the world forecasting disaster, the Bible also promises a great harvest and a plan of escape for God's people, urging us to focus on God's Word and believe His report of hope and revival.

3. Step 1: Look Within and Guard Yourself

Personal holiness may not be the most thrilling of topics to discuss, but "take heed"—it's one of the most important battles you and I will fight.

High-value target. As a believer who knows God, loves Him, serves Him, and abides in His Word, you are a high-value target for the enemy. Satan wants to sift you, separating you from godly relationships and causing division in your life. Jesus' first instruction regarding the end times was "Take heed that no one deceives you," emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and guarding your inner self.

Guard your inner self. Your number one responsibility is to guard your relationship with Jesus Christ, as everything else flows from this connection. Just as a soldier was tasked to guard a prisoner diligently, we must guard our hearts and minds against distractions that pull us away from God. Busy-ness and worldly pursuits can slowly cause us to drift, losing track of our first love and, in the process, losing ourselves.

W.A.T.C.H. yourself. To endure and overcome, you must vigilantly guard five areas of your life:

• Words: Speak life and victory, not death and despair.
• Attitude: Choose faith, hope, and love over negativity and complaint.
• Temptations: Watch out for little habits that can become destructive.
• Character: Maintain integrity in private and public life.
• Household: Prioritize investing in your family and the next generation.

4. Step 2: Look to Him in the Storm

The most critical thing you can do in a storm is keep rowing.

Fixed point. Just as a high-wire walker focuses on a fixed point at the end of the wire for balance, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, especially when life feels overwhelming. When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told them, "See that you are not troubled," reminding them to look to Him rather than the chaos. Our faith is tested and strengthened in the midst of storms.

Divine instruction. Sometimes, God allows or even directs us into storms, not to harm us, but for us to learn lessons we can only gain in difficult circumstances. The disciples were in the storm because Jesus made them go to the other side. Even when our poor decisions create storms, God is still with us, and He has a superseding plan to bring us through.

Row with faith and worship. In the midst of the storm, keep rowing with the oars of worship and faith. Satan wants you to give up, but focusing on God's promises and praising Him activates your faith and causes God to show up. Your inability to see Jesus doesn't mean He can't see you; He sees your struggle and your perseverance. Remember past miracles ("pick up the bread crumbs") to fuel your faith for the present challenge.

5. Step 3: Look Ahead and Endure

Finishing the race requires knowing your end goal before you even take that first step.

Endure for a reason. We are called to run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Our endurance is not pointless; it's for a purpose, leading to the promise and a great reward. Don't let present circumstances sabotage God's work within you; focus on where you are going, not just where you are.

Build endurance. You can strengthen your ability to endure by implementing six strategies:

• Create the right atmosphere: Fill your space with praise and positivity.
• Connect to the right power supply: Plug into the Holy Spirit daily.
• Get the right information: Feed on God's Word, not negative reports.
• Get in the right location: Go or stay where God calls you, even if it means breaking old "plows."
• Get the right focus: Shift attention from self to serving others.
• Get the right timing: Trust God's perfect timing for your breakthrough.

PERMA plan for flourishing. Dr. Martin Seligman's PERMA model offers principles for well-being that align with biblical truths, helping you look ahead with hope:

• Positive emotion: Choose positivity over negativity, believing "Can do!"
• Engagement: Get off the sidelines and actively participate in life and faith.
• Relationships: Connect with godly people who lift you up and help you grow.
• Meaning: Discover and pursue your God-given mission or purpose.
• Accomplishments: Recognize you are more than a conqueror, destined to achieve God's purposes.

6. Step 4: Look Out and Reach Others

The greatest crime on earth is not being committed by the usual suspects... It's Christians who are guilty.

The urgency of the Gospel. Jesus commanded us to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The greatest crime is our silence when people are "drawn toward death" and "stumbling to the slaughter." We have the message of hope and everlasting life, and we will be held responsible if we do not share it.

Vision for souls. Winning souls is serious business, not just a suggestion. God expects us to reach beyond the walls of our comfort zones and preferences to share His unconditional love and purpose for others. Despite the world's chaos, there is a consensus among end-times experts about an epic, end-time harvest of souls, and God is looking for laborers.

Become a nighttime hero. God is seeking heroes who will selflessly serve the Body of Christ and reach out to others, especially in their darkest hours. Joseph of Arimathea ministered to Jesus' body when it seemed helpless, using his influence and resources. Like Joseph, we are called to step up when others are down, believing in the potential of others and helping position them for resurrection and breakthrough.

7. Step 5: Look Up and Eagerly Wait

Amid tumult and uncertainty, He encourages us to maintain a posture of looking up.

Redemption draws near. In the midst of end-time signs and troubles, Jesus tells us to "look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." This is a reason for hope and even joy, not doom and gloom. It signifies that God's grace is drawing near to our families and loved ones, and His promises will not miss their target.

The end is sure. God declares the end from the beginning, assuring us that He knows the thoughts He thinks toward us—thoughts of peace and an expected end. Your destiny as an overcomer is already determined, regardless of present circumstances or the giants blocking your path. God sets limitations on trouble, and there is an expiration date for your trials.

Eagerly awaiting. We, and all of creation, are eagerly waiting for Jesus' return and the redemption of our bodies. This eager expectation should fuel our lives, reminding us that this earth is temporary and our true citizenship is in heaven. We are called to wait with intensity and urgency, living with "no reserves, no retreats, no regrets," knowing that what awaits us in heaven is infinitely greater than anything this world offers.

8. Face Fear with Faith

You’re going to live either by faith or by fear.

Whose report? In overwhelming times, you must decide whose report you will believe: the negative reports of the world or the promises of God. Fear is real and can paralyze you, but God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, which comes from faith. We walk by faith, not by sight, choosing to see God's presence despite circumstances.

Much ado about nothing. While acknowledging the reality of suffering, Jesus' question "Why make this ado?" in the face of death reminds us that compared to His power, even grave situations can be "much ado about nothing." Fear is a spirit that tries to stop you from fulfilling your purpose, but faith is what overcomes it.

Faith fights feelings and facts. Don't let feelings of fear dictate your actions. Faith is not denial, but choosing to believe and act on God's truth even when you are afraid. Faith fights feelings by activating prayer, worship, and God's Word. Faith also fights facts; while facts are real, faith can overcome them, enabling miracles like walking on water or defeating giants.

9. Dismantle Discouragement and Pick Up Your Dreams

Unless you can endure hell’s nightmare, you will never experience heaven’s dream for your life.

Nightmare to destiny. God plants dreams in our hearts, but hell's nightmares often precede their fulfillment. Discouragement is a spirit that tells you to give up, but everything you want is on the other side of not quitting. The nightmare purifies your motives and tests your character, serving as a pathway to triumph and higher praise.

Pick up dropped dreams. Like Hagar who dropped her son Ishmael in despair, you may have given up on a God-given dream due to overwhelming discouragement. But God hears the voice of your dropped dream and delights in restoring it. No matter how hopeless it seems, if God planted it, it's time to pick it back up and place it back in His hands.

Blessing in the breaking. Discouragement often comes from brokenness, but God uses the breaking process to produce blessings. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish after breaking them, God brings overflow out of our hardest times. Don't curse what you're going through; it might be the very thing God uses to multiply and bless your life.

10. Dig Out of Depression and Get Your Thinking Right

Did you know that it’s possible to be weak and still be anointed?

Weakness and anointing. You can feel weak, downcast, or clinically depressed and still be anointed by God. Depression is not your identity; you are a king or queen in God's Kingdom, part of a royal priesthood. The enemy tries to steal this identity, but your purpose is stronger than your sin or your struggle with depression.

Hope on the wayside. Like Bartimaeus begging by the wayside, you might feel stuck and purposeless due to depression. But Jesus notices you even there. Don't cling to a "right" to be depressed; forfeit that right and cry out to Jesus. Open your mouth to speak God's promises and praise, as faith is activated through hearing and confessing.

Get rid of the ANTS. Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS) infest our minds, fueling negativity and depression. These thoughts automatically assume the worst. To overcome this, you must renew your mind with God's Word, meditating on His truth rather than your feelings or circumstances. Choose to "think yourself happy" by setting your mind on what is right, as Paul did.

11. Fight the Flesh and Choose Integrity

Sexual sin without repentance will cause you to lose your mission, your common sense and God’s anointing.

Jezebel's manipulation. The spirit of Jezebel uses lust and sexual immorality to manipulate and destroy relationships, families, and individuals. This spirit, seen in Herodias's dance leading to John the Baptist's death, is pervasive today through pornography and extramarital affairs, even within the Church. It promises pleasure but demands your "head on a platter," costing you your purpose and anointing.

Trade shame for honor. Sexual sin brings guilt and shame, but God offers forgiveness and a double portion of honor instead. Your past mistakes do not define you or derail God's call on your life. Jesus carried our shame on the cross, and His grace is greater than any sin. Repentance brings a clean slate and a new beginning.

Keep your underwear on. God's instruction for priests to wear linen undergarments to cover their nakedness when entering His presence is a timeless principle of purity. It's not just about outward appearance but about inward integrity. What you allow into your life through your eyes, ears, and thoughts contributes to or chips away at your sexual purity.

Beware the traveler. Lustful thoughts are like a traveler; you can't stop them from coming, but you don't have to invite them in and feed them. Sin starts with a passing thought, and if entertained, it leads to destructive actions.

• Stop at the one look; don't keep looking or asking around.
• Don't be where you're not supposed to be.
• Flee sexual immorality; run away from tempting situations.

12. Live on the Edge of Eternity and Occupy

We are living on the edge of eternity.

Awake from sleep. We are living in a time when Jesus could return at any moment, and it's high time to wake up from spiritual sleep. Just as the news of JFK's death interrupted a play, the reality of Christ's imminent return should awaken us from complacency and end "playtime." We must cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Occupy until He comes. While eagerly awaiting Christ's return, we are commanded to "occupy until I come." This means living purposefully, dreaming, believing, loving, giving, serving, and sharing the Gospel. We don't put our lives on hold; we actively engage in God's work and build His Kingdom while we wait.

Be ready. Being ready for Christ's return involves more than just believing; it requires living a life of holiness and purpose. The signs of the times are fulfilled, and the stage is set. We must live with the understanding that eternity is near, motivating us to live fully for God, overcome the enemy's assaults, and help others do the same before it's too late.

Last updated: May 5, 2025