When the Days are Overwhelming

Inside: Feeling overwhelmed? Pause, pray, and do the next faithful thing. His grace meets you right where you are.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1–2

I remember when my daughter was in the thick of the little years, with two under two. There was a day when everything seemed to be piling up and the feeling of being overwhelmed was taking over. I shared something with her that I often go back to myself, and it’s a favorite quote from Elisabeth Elliot that has brought steady help in many seasons:

“Do the next thing.”

That’s it. Nothing profound. It doesn’t instantly remove the burdens, but it helps give them a place. It reminds us that we don’t need to fix everything all at once. We can just take the next faithful step.

God hasn’t called us to carry the whole day at once. He promises grace for the moment (2 Corinthians 12:9), and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23). Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is simply pause and ask Him for help.

As I encouraged her to do, I encourage you, on those heavy days, to take a moment to do the following:

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1. Pray.

Ask the Lord for help, and rest in His peace and presence (Philippians 4:6–7). Cast your cares on Him. He is near, and He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

2. Meditate on Scripture.

Fill your heart with God’s Word. Choose a passage that brings comfort in the chaos and peace in the storm. Keep Scripture visible around your home—in the bathroom, by the kitchen sink, or above the washer and dryer.

Here are a few:

• Psalm 121 – Our help comes from the Lord.
• Philippians 4:6–7 – His peace guards our hearts.
• John 16:33 – In Christ, we have peace even in tribulation.

3. Make a list.

Write down everything on your mind, even the small things. I’ll even include “take a shower.” The purpose isn’t to overwhelm you more, but to quiet the mental clutter and help you see what needs your attention most.

4. Use the list to guide your day.

Once things are written down, it’s easier to see where to start, what can wait, and what can be delegated. It also helps you recognize how to use even a few minutes of free time well. A list can be a tool, not a taskmaster.

5. Ask for help, or receive it when it’s offered.

We aren’t meant to carry everything alone. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Allow others to serve you—it’s a blessing to them too.

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Is there someone in your life who’s feeling overwhelmed today? Can you be a blessing to them?

Pray for them. Send a card or a text. Bring a meal. Offer to help with laundry, cleaning, or caring for the little ones so mama can rest. Sometimes, simply knowing someone sees and cares can bring peace in itself.

If you are an older woman, Titus 2:3–5 reminds us of our calling to encourage and support the younger women in our lives. I’m thankful to be close to my daughter both in relationship and location. I had the joy of helping her when her children were small, and I continue to be there to encourage her as she now raises them in the Lord. You may be the help another woman needs, especially if she doesn’t have her mother nearby for support.

“I believe that one major reason that the church of Jesus Christ in the United States is very close to being in sheer chaos today is because so many people think of themselves as individuals rather than as part of the body of Christ. Christianity is not ‘every man for himself.’ It’s every man together for Christ.”

—Wayne Mack

We were never meant to walk alone. Let’s remind one another—especially in the hard days—that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

How do you deal with those moments where you feel overwhelmed? I’d love to hear from you.