Finding Strength in God When You Feel Overwhelmed — Lean Into Your Heavenly Father
- meetgodattheedgeof
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
[31] But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Encouragement.
When life beats you down and tries to hold you there, even your best friend trying to encourage you can have very little effect. Our mind is still reeling; it’s difficult to hear or accept any help in those moments. When everything feels heavy like that, finding strength in God when you feel overwhelmed can seem almost impossible.
It will suck the life out of you and start you down a road where you question everything. “Did I just fail?” “I am a failure.”
I love using the phrase “lean into your Father.” I picture a man torn by grief or anxiety leaning into his Heavenly Father’s chest, and the warm embrace just melts away all fears and pain. That is our plan. That is the only way we make it through the internal battle. Sometimes the first step toward finding strength in God when you feel overwhelmed is simply choosing to lean into Him instead of pulling away.
Our Father is just waiting for you to seek Him earnestly. Read His Word like you’re searching for buried treasure. Pray with the intention of hearing Him, not just asking for help. Doing that opens us up to the things we need—things we may not even realize we need.
We can see the Lord’s love through people just coming up and encouraging you, saying things like, “We’ve got your back,” “I’ve been praying for you,” or “We want to take you to lunch.”
These are all things I would brush off or turn down in my crappy, “poor me” state of mind. That is exactly what the enemy wants.
In our meeting together, the Lord uses every opportunity to encourage or help us, but we need to be looking for it. My good friend was telling me about one of his lunch meetings and how this guy was learning something huge. He was sharing what he said to encourage him, and hearing it encouraged me. It helped me and gave me a new perspective on my situation.
Now, that is awesome. That is the Lord’s love flowing through my friends to me without them even knowing. I was encouraged because I was open to receiving it.
In your low moments—anxiety, depression, or anger—we need to find a way to hold onto the goodness of God. He will never leave you. He will use so many creative ways to encourage you. And often, finding strength in God when you feel overwhelmed starts with simply being open to receive the encouragement He sends your way.
You may need to say yes to lunch. You may need to slow down and actually listen when someone encourages you.
Lean into your Heavenly Father.
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.
Joshua 1:8-9 NLT
[8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
