Have you ever experienced a time where you just felt defeated? Perhaps you felt some pressure to perform at work or were overwhelmed by responsibilities at home? How often do we feel burdened by all the tasks and obligations in our daily lives? Thankfully, we are not the only ones who have faced these feelings — all throughout the Bible, we read about people who have experienced the same thing AND lived to tell about it!

There was a theme in some of the passages from the Summer Reading Plan this week that I thought was helpful when it comes to feeling overwhelmed. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Later, in Psalm 54:3, David writes, “Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me — people without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”

I’d say this certainly gives us some hope in the times we feel overwhelmed. Hopefully, none of us have arrogant foes attacking us (though it may feel that way sometimes!), but even still we can find comfort in knowing that God is our help in times of need. He is close to us and will sustain us through even the most difficult seasons of life.

I’ve experienced these times throughout my life, but God has always provided the strength I need to get through it. However, this wasn’t without some effort on my end. I think sometimes when we are feeling crushed, we wonder where God is or why He isn’t rescuing us in the midst of the trials. God has the power to save us; we often just need to get out of His way and allow Him to point us in the right direction.

Here are a few things that have helped me get through overwhelming seasons:

#1. Ask God for Help!

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God is always willing to be our rescue, often we just have to ask. He may not always respond in the way we think He should, but know that He has our best interest in mind. This may mean turning away from your plan for how to get out of the mess and turning to God to receive His PERFECT plan.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

#2. Worship.

Psalm 54:6 says, “I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.”

God is good, even in the midst of our challenges. He is WORTHY of our praise! Worship isn’t just singing along with the band on Sunday mornings — you can honor and worship God by thanking Him for all He’s done for you, even in the hard times.

#3. Serve Others.

This has been one of the most impactful things in getting me out of a season of stress. Often when we are crushed or overwhelmed, we become self-focused, not considering the needs of those around us. What I’ve found is that if I’m willing to look past my own needs and focus on serving other people, God rewards those actions.

Isaiah 58:6-7, 9 says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them… Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

God is good, even in the crushing. When we are feeling overwhelmed, He will sustain us. When we are brokenhearted, He draws near to us. In those times, just like David did, we can ask for His guidance, thank Him for our blessings, and push beyond our own wants to serve others in need.

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This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at

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