Leaning into Jesus When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed

Have you ever been overwhelmed with the circumstances of life that you find yourself  in? Maybe today feels like too much. Your to-do list is too long, the house too loud or  too quiet, and your soul too tired to take even one more step. Maybe you are parenting  young children on a hard day quietly whispering “I can’t do this,” in the bathroom  through tears. Maybe you are balancing doctor appointments, caring for aging parents,  navigating career demands, or simply trying to hold everything together. Do you feel  like you are barely hanging on or this season is squeezing the life out of you? If you are  feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you are falling short — you are not alone. More  importantly: you are not forgotten and are incredibly loved. God cares deeply about  your exhaustion, your fears, your heart. You are not failing. He has not left you to carry  this by yourself.  

Jesus sees you in the chaos and He knows what it is like to be poured out.  In the gospels, we see Jesus constantly surrounded by people who needed Him. He  understands what it is like to be needed every second of the day, to feel drained and  empty. Rest is not a reward — it is necessary. We see in Luke 5:15-16 that the  demands of life push Jesus to prayer not away from it. Your soul needs rest. Not just  sleep, but soul-deep rest in the presence of our Lord and savior. He meets you where  you are and invites you to come away with Him, even if it is just a whispered prayer in  the hallway or a moment of stillness between what feels like constant storms and  chaos. He knows the burdens you carry, the tears no one else sees, and the way you  keep showing up when you feel like you have nothing left to give. You are fully seen by  God who never overlooks you or the condition of your heart.  

You don’t have to be strong all of the time. You don’t have to pretend you have it all  together. In fact, God often asks the opposite of us. There is pressure in our culture to  be strong and never admit weakness, but in 2 Corinthians 12:9 God says, “my grace is  sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we are  overwhelmed by life and at the end of our rope, He invites us to bring our exhaustion  and overwhelm to Him. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give  you rest (Matt. 11:28).” We are in the perfect place for His strength to carry us when we  are crying in the car, overwhelmed by our to-do list, or unsure of what our next steps  are — God’s power is there sustaining us. He is sitting beside us in the mess offering  rest for our weary soul. 

You are not alone. When we are overwhelmed, life can feel isolating. We often think no  one else understands or are too embarrassed to ask for help, but God never meant for  us to walk through life alone. Not only is God with us, but He has placed us in  community and encourages us to “bear one another’s burdens” in Galatians 6:2. Reach  out. Ask for prayer. Enter into community and allow others to speak gospel truth to  you. 


Lean in. Not to yourself, the overwhelm, or the chaos, but into Jesus. Pray short  prayers throughout the day, even in the mundane tasks. He is Emmanuel, God with  you, even in the mess and the overwhelm. Maybe some days your time with God looks  more like a whispered plea over dishes, or maybe it is an exasperated, angry shout  rather than a full Bible study. That’s okay. God is not after your performance or  checking boxes on a to-do list — He wants your heart. He wants time with you in the  chaos and overwhelm. He wants to sustain you through it. God is not disappointed in  your weariness. He understands what it is like to be tired and in high demand and He  will strengthen and sustain you through all of life’s circumstances. 

So take a deep breath. If you are a busy mama like me, drink the reheated coffee. Let  the tears fall if they come and accept His invitation to come with Him and rest — even  if it is just for a moment. Lean into the grace that meets you right where you are. You  are seen, you are deeply loved, and you are sustained by the One who holds the  universe in place. He will give you everything you need one day, or maybe even one  moment, at a time.

By God's Grace,
Katie Meyer