What do you do when waves of overwhelm threaten to overcome your soul?
On this particular day I sit in the silence and let the wave just crash over me. If it was an actual wave it’d be enough to drown me but it’s not that type of wave. It’s a wave of overwhelm that floods my soul.
It threatens to pull me out to the deep if I don’t find something to cling to. It wants to drag me to the place where fears overtake and hope gets washed away.
But not today.
Today I will be an overcomer.
“Only one thing is needed.”
I hear those words and I breathe a sigh of relief. I come up for air and I know that I’ve won the struggle.
It’s exactly what I need to hear when hope is low. When I feel overwhelmed and burdened.
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The hope that I need is right there waiting for me like a gentle breeze waiting to kiss my face.
And honestly it brings tears to my eyes.
You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. (Luke 10:41-42)
Only. One. Thing. Is. Needed.
I need to hear those five words over and over again.
Oh, how I need for those words to wash over me.
Martha, the Queen of Overwhelm
My good friend Martha understands my struggle. I met her first in the story in Luke 10.
Martha and I are like twins. We relate to each other so well and think so much alike. In her words:
Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? (Luke 10:40)
I think that’s a legitimate concern, don’t you?
Tell her to help me. (Luke 10:40)
That makes sense to me too. I would probably have added, ‘It’s just not fair. I need help and she’s not doing her share; if you talk to her I’m pretty sure she’ll listen to you’.
What about you? What complaint are you bringing to the Lord today? What injustice are you experiencing?
Lord don’t you care that…
…my husband doesn’t help me with the housework?
…my pastor didn’t take the time to call when I was going through a rough time?
…my co-worker gets all the praise when I’m the one doing all the work?
…I don’t seem to be losing weight no matter how hard I try?
…life is passing me by and I have no one to share it with?
…this illness is stealing my joy?
Don’t you care Lord?
These are all legitimate concerns. And I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through today. Yet it is my firm belief that the Lord’s response is the same for you, as it was for Martha and as it is for me.
Only one thing is needed.
And what is that one thing?
To sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him.
Instead of busying myself with many cares and concerns, the Lord simply wants me to enjoy being in His presence. To put my concerns aside and worship Him. To be satisfied with Him. To recognize that He alone is ENOUGH.
One thing is enough
You see, when I try to do it all on my own, I fall.
When I focus on why life is unfair, I falter.
When life becomes all about me, I sink even lower.
But when I focus on Jesus, He picks me up. He brushes me off. He makes me whole again. And He gives me just enough of what I need for that moment. No more. No less.
I don’t have to worry about what is needed for tomorrow.
Sure I need to be responsible with my time and the way I spend my minutes. But God is taking care of all the details. I say this and I know I have to own it, because friends, I stumble. Often. I forget this truth that says only one thing is needed. But I’m grateful that He faithfully and graciously reminds me again and again.
What about you?
Will you rise above the waves that threaten to overcome you?
There is hope, dear friend. And that hope is found in that one thing — the hope that Jesus offers when we dwell at His feet.
Wishing you blessings,
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I live near the Atlantic Ocean, and not only do I understand your comparison of overwhelm to the waves, but I sometimes feel the riptide of overwhelm pulling me out to the deep. Thank you for throwing a life raft of words as a reminder of who really saves lives!
As an island girl, I see the ocean everyday and I’m glad you can relate, not just to the literal comparison but to the feeling of being caught in that riptide. Like you, Denise, I’m so grateful to have One who saves us from the drowning in the deep.
I’m so blessed to have you visit today!
“There is hope, dear friend. And that hope is found in that one thing — the hope that Jesus offers when we dwell at His feet.” Loved reading this today… the images and the words pointed me to His goodness and His feet. Thank you!
I couldn’t have come across this article at a better time. Thank you for reminding me where my heart and soul need to be!
Such a good good word, Marva ♥ I’ve been feeling as though I’m drowning in a sea of overwhelm and the funny thing is, I kick into get-it-done mode and put resting at His feet at the bottom of my to-do list. It’s such a backward strategy and even though I know it, I still do it! Argh! Thank you for the reminder and encouragement!
Hugs,
Lori
Such reassurance here! “When I focus on why life is unfair, I falter.” I tend to do this. Ha, I loved when you gave the example of trying to lose weight because I’ve been training for a half marathon and thought for sure the hard training would make me shed some pounds. But no more ‘I’m the only one who trains for a half marathon and gains weight thinking.” Nope, no more of that!
Thank you for the reminder that the only thing Jesus requires of us is to sit at His feet and learn from Him. I’m under a lot of stress these days and my anxiety is at an all-time high … this reminder helps bring my feet back down to the ground. <3 <3
“the Lord simply wants me to enjoy being in His presence.” Amen to that. I needed this reminder!
Oh I have been trapped in the overwhelm so much! This is perfect for me as I am about to start a new week and I already feel overwhelmed and behind.
I know that feeling only too well, Kira. Let’s be sure to spend some time at Jesus’s feet this weekend and leave our worries there.
I cannot tell you how much this has ministered to me today, sweet friend! Thanks so much for this post. <3 We can't do this on our own — that's right! We all need JESUS!
Oh girlfriend, I have a feeling many of us are finding ourselves in this place, about to be overcome by the waves. However, we are choosing quite deliberately to hold on to the One who can pull us out and help us stand.
I’m so glad you found some hope here today, Lauren. Blessings, dear friend.
Marva! Tears filled my eyes as I read this. Thank you so much for speaking truth and ministering to me today.
Oh, Jennifer, I’m humbled that God would use my words to speak softly to your heart. Rest in Him, sweet friend. He is all our hope!
Amen! Only one thing – Jesus!
Love, love, love this, Marva! Such profound and simple truth all at the same time!
Thank for you always pointing us toward our Savior~
Thank you for always being such an encouragement, Melanie. I need to look to the Savior so much myself and I’m happy to share my journey. Hugs, dear friend!