“Overwhelmed is good when something good overwhelms something bad!”

By Debra Susan Bowman

Some days when I think of all that needs to be done I get totally overwhelmed and then I just want to quit. My to-do list was long: Anthony needed schools clothes, I needed to do housework and cleaning, I needed to promote my book, do laundry, get the car repaired and I have things to do in the office for Sam. Life can be overwhelming.

But let’s think for a minute of overwhelmed in a new way. Overwhelmed is good when love overwhelms loneliness. Overwhelmed is good when blessed overwhelms stressed. Overwhelmed is good when rest overwhelms the test. Overwhelmed is good when action overwhelms passivity, when joy overcomes depression, when forgiveness overwhelms brokenness.  Being overwhelmed is always good when it produces faith, energy, the hope, the love to move on, to push through. Take time out this week to sit before God, to contemplate Him and his awesome promises, to be overwhelmed by His presence. Think of something you need to overcome this week and ask God how he would like to overcome that. Then write it down, think on it, pray over it and say it until victory comes.  It is always a good thing to be overwhelmed with God!

I was working in the kitchen cleaning out the pots and pans area when Anthony came in and said, “Let me do that!” I knew he would love playing with the pots and pans, what little one doesn’t, but what five year old wants to help clean and organize? He went to work and cleaned and did a great job. I was overwhelmed by this small gesture. In his little hands I could see a God’s big hand at work and my overwhelmed seemed to shrink in this picture of His love.

The declaration of the Word: Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.”