Overcome Overwhelm: Untangle the Clutter in Your LifeSample

Which can you relate to?

• Life, in general, feels overwhelming and I can’t keep up. The demands seem to outweigh my resources.
• I want to live more carefree, but I feel stressed and stuck.
• I’m running in circles and can’t focus. I don’t know where to start. I’m so overwhelmed.

Honestly, I can relate to all of them at different times of my life. I used to consider myself “high capacity.” Now, I’m aware of how quickly overwhelm can sneak in and wipe me out. I don’t want to live this way and I know you don’t want to either.

Here’s the thing. We get only one life. An obvious statement, but pause for a moment. Take an honest inventory of your inner and outer life. My guess, it's filled with all kinds of clutter that’s keeping you from the life you want to live; a life filled with more overflow and less overwhelm.

Jesus tells us that one of his purposes is to give us a full and abundant life (John 10:10). Sure, our lives may be full, but with the right kind of fullness? Clutter is one of the most underestimated and potent contributors to overwhelm.

So, what is clutter? Anything taking up mental, emotional, or physical space that doesn’t add value or meaning to your life.

Jesus also tells us in John 10:10, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We tend to skim over that part. So let’s stop here.

If you were the thief, how would you best steal, kill, and destroy yourself?

Mind clutter is an effectively destructive strategy. It overwhelms us and often brings with it anxiety, discouragement, pressure, and dread. No wonder we quickly become stuck.

Now for the good news. Over the next four days, we are going to untangle those overwhelming knots of clutter. Ready?

Let’s start with incorporating Philippians 4:13 into this prayer:

Dear God, an abundant life feels out of reach from where I am today. Yet, I know I can do anything with your strength at work within me. Begin to strengthen me now, as I begin this study. Lead me, unfreeze me, untangle me. Replace my overwhelm with overflow. In your name, Amen.

Next, we will look at a practical way to release the pressure you’ve been feeling.