Friend, do you sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed with the multitude of things on your plate? Sometimes it’s hard to create mental space when your mind is cluttered and chaotic. Maybe it’s time to dial it back a bit and take control over what you can control. Years ago, I listened to a podcast episode that has stuck with me for years. She talked about when you are in a state of overwhelm,she learned to operate at a lower percentage. This means having control over the controllable and taking more of your plate. For example, maybe instead of cooking that night, you order takeout. Maybe instead of doing all the laundry in one sitting, you focus on washing and doing one load, and folding the next day. Maybe that means setting boundaries with people and instead of going out to meet them, you cancel and take a self care nap. We have to learn how to be gentle with ourselves in our state of overwhelm. We cannot operate efficiently and show up as our best selves if our cups are empty.
God sits us down so that we can get some headspace and rest. The more and more we become distant from ourselves, the more important it is to re-center and focus on Him. We must be okay with pauses. Pauses give us a chance to breathe, think, feel, live, learn, grow, seek, and find. I constantly have to remind myself to be present and go inward, and so many times I sacrifice being present for being distracted. We miss the opportunity to tap into peace when we decide to stay in our state of overwhelm.
We don’t have to focus on being in control of every single thing, but instead focus on simplifying our lives, even if it’s just for a season. We must realize that seasons change and our states of overwhelm will not last forever. This is where we must surrender our lives to God and allow Him to take the lead. When we are in a state of overwhelm, typically we are not trusting God. We have stepped out of trusting to forcing. When things tend to not go our way, we are left frustrated and overwhelmed. But might I encourage you, Friend, that it was never our charge to lead our lives, but to instead follow God’s plan. James 4:14-16 NLT says “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.” Trusting God with our lives is pivotal in living a lifestyle with less overwhelm. Don’t rush His process, listen to Him, learn from Him, and surrender your will.
We are out of alignment when our priorities are more focused on the world and our obligations. If we can move from a place of obligation to surrender, life would be less chaotic. When we forcefully try to make things in our lives work instead of surrendering to God, it is as if we are aimlessly shooting at targets that are constantly in motion. Instead of being reckless and all over the place, God is saying to BE STILL. In our stillness, we must seek His will, keep the faith, and be patient on His direction. I pray that in this moment, you will find peace and slow down. It is okay to let a few moments pass by where you just sit and be. The kids can wait, your partner can wait, the house will not blow up if you take a few minutes to inhale and exhale. You don’t have to be perfect and have it all together. Just trust God, He will direct your path. God’s got you, Friend. So rest in Him.