Heartprints

“I’m Ok, I’m Just a Little Overwhelmed!” and Other Clever Lies

 

“The enemy will discourage us by overwhelming us.”

I wish I could remember who said this!!

I know it was at a conference; and, I remember screaming in my mind…YES, THIS IS SO TRUE!!

As someone who runs more efficiently when in a mild state of stress, I have always considered being overwhelmed as a natural byproduct of my inability to control my “yeses.” A mismanagement, if you will, of the power of stress similar to overdosing.

Did you know that overwhelmed literally means to defeat completely? I didn’t. I though it was a more casual and light-hearted term for being a bit stressed. “I’m ok. I’m just a little overwhelmed.” What a clever lie!

It never occurred to me that being overwhelmed was a tactic…which is what makes it so effective!

I never suspected it’s hidden dangers because it seemed so natural. But, that’s the problem.

When it seems natural, we won’t think to guard against it. We shrug it off as part of life and never consider it for what it really is…an act of spiritual warfare that needs to be dealt with.

Left unchecked, this feeling of having too much to bear starts affecting every area of life.

For me, my attitude takes the first hit. Everything is negative. Nothing is good. Everyone is annoying or in the way. Come to think of it, it’s their fault I’m stressed and negative, right! I am too overwhelmed to care about anything or anyone–even God and especially me. My self-worth is in the toilet. I am completely defeated. All because I let something that seemed natural go unchecked.

Well, there’s an attractive image. You’re welcome for that glimpse inside my “godly” mind.

Can anyone relate?

Maybe being overwhelmed isn’t your trigger. Maybe it’s your need to please, or work or playing it safe when God is calling you to do big things with Him.

Here’s the bottom line:

Subtle sabotages are much more damaging than obvious obstructions. 

They creep their way, take root and become the norm before we even realize they’re there.

We have to STOP THE MADNESS and bring every thought into submission with the truth that comes from Jesus. Paul said this:

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NKJV)

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Yes, life is tough.

But,we have THE WEAPON of WAR.

Jesus overwhelmed sin and gave us victory over it!

No matter how big or how small, Jesus already took care of it. We just have to surrender it to His power. Don’t give it room in our mind. Don’t let it creep it’s way in and fake power in our lives.

It has no authority over you!!

It has no authority over me!!

Now, if I would just remember this and stop falling into the same stupid trap over and over again.

Praise God for Jesus!!

Shew.

Ok, repeat after me:

“I have Victory over the big things and the small things because I have Jesus!!”

Good.

Let’s encourage one another with these words.