It’s All Just Too Much Part 2

One thing I love about blogging is that it gets people thinking. Another thing I love about blogging is that I am able to get out all of the thoughts that I have whirling around in my head, make sense of them, and get them on paper. If you know me, I love to talk and just sometimes things that come out of my mouth haven’t been completely bathed in scripture, thought through or could have been said in a better way, or another position considered. Before I publish any post I read it out loud to Gavin and be sure there is no heresy, unkindness, lies, also to find improvement, add scripture, or elaborate on a point more.

With that in mind, I thought I should re-visit my post from last night. I have received more feedback than usual on it, many of them were super encouraged, a few had great insight and encouragement about things to consider or blind spots in my writing or thoughts on a topic. The heart that I was coming from on the “It’s all just too much” post from last night was the day-to-day comments of life being “overwhelming” on a surface level. There is a daunting task ahead, many errands, my kids are being difficult,the work seems to be non-stop, there is so much to do, my schedule is so full, we have too much going on, etc.

The approach that I did not address, or even consider at the time was being overwhelmed on a deeper, intrinsic, heart level. Please know that I am NOT an expert, I have zero education on the topic and really it’s just my thoughts and what I see in scripture about it. When I say “a deeper level of being overwhelmed” I am talking about depression, suicidal thoughts, violence, postpartum, or other “dark looming cloud” stuff, that is a debilitating and overwhelming sense of life being “too much”. I have never experienced anything like this before, nor would I say that my life has been a theme for me. However, just as everyone else, there has been hardship, trials, pain, heart-ache, sickness, and times when life feels like it is too much. When all I can do is stay in bed, cry and ask God, “why this?” I don’t think there was anything in my previous post that was incorrect or wrong or inaccurate. But I do think that there is more that can be said from a different perspective.

Living life is HARD! Being diligent, guarding our hearts, not comparing ourselves to others, being content, losing jobs, losing homes, being in relationship with people, fulfilling our rolls, being a mom, cleaning house, making meals, having an empty bank account and piles of bills, losing parents, doing errands, paying bills, oh yeah and remembering to smile! Life is non-stop and the stresses of life are constant. Life is too much. Too much for us to live on our own. But dear sister, it is not too much for God. This storm is not too turbulent to be calmed by the Prince of Peace. Your life is not too out of control or chaotic for the Author and Master of ALL things. Life is hard when we try for one second to go at it alone. It is too much to remember, too much to do, too many people to please, too many goals to accomplish and marks to hit.

I believe that every verse in the Bible is true and exactly as He says. We must make God GREAT. We must PRAISE HIM for ALL things, that which we like, and that which we don’t like. Why? Because HE IS ABUNDANTLY WORTHY. We must be SMALL. We need to be made low before the throne. We must acknowledge HIM as the author and creator. At the end of ourselves is where we see the beginning of God’s Grace and Mercy. His kindness. His favor. His blessing. His protection. His provision. His power.

A friend of mine and I always joke that no matter what happens my response is, “yeah but it’s going to be great”. I say it tongue in cheek, but honestly, in my heart I know that to be true. I have lived my life in my own strength, in my own power and it is awful and too much and too hard. I would rather live my life face down in the mud by the grace of God than successful in a mansion with fame and glory without the Lord. It is just not worth it and the end result is death, hell and life apart from God. Let alone far too hard. And far too much. I know that no matter what comes into my life is for HIS GLORY and my good. Even if I don’t see it. I am PROTECTED AND COVERED by the His wings. Whatever comes to my life, I would rather die than curse GOD and blame Him for it. You see the problem isn’t God. It is my heart. God has done more than enough and yet He continues to lavish my life. He not only saved he from the pit of hell, but ADOPTED ME AS HIS VERY OWN.

For those of you who are covered in a cloud of depression, suicide, violent thoughts and your heart is overwhelmed with despair, God’s Grace and God’s Truth is for you. First pray and ask God to help and restore your heart, ask Him to show you things to be thankful for. Ask Him how to praise Him and thank Him in this storm. Ask the Holy Spirit, who is interceding for you with groans that are too deep for our understanding, to  pray the things that only your heart knows. For strength where there is none. Bathe yourself in His cleansing Word. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. (1 John 3:1). GO TO HIM and find rest for your soul. CRY OUT TO HIM. He hears you. ASK Him to change your heart. FILL YOUR MIND with whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8). Ask your pastor, biblical counselor, women’s ministry director or someone who is very well versed in biblical truth for direction, truth, accountability and help. If you are taking medication, please stay on them until your doctor tells you otherwise.

I believe that the bible has the answers we need for all of life and Godliness. Your life might seem overwhelming and like you can’t bear anymore, rest in knowing that it is not too much for God. Like I said, I am not an expert. I am not the source of all answers. I would love to hear your thoughts and have a discussion. I appreciate your feedback and encouragement. Be sure that the people who speak truth into your life are speaking GOD’S truth straight out of the bible, chapter and verse. Please also know that the only reason that I am the way that I am is ONLY by the grace of God. Not because of my family, friends, husband, kids, church, support group, education, or accomplishments. I am ONLY who I am because of the Holy Spirit working and changing my heart and life to look more like the glorious person of Christ. I pray that when you see my life you see Him boldly proclaimed.

“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31-33, ESV)

“At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God.Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:1-10)

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.