Experiencing God In College Намуна

Overwhelmed. That was the only word I used for a good solid year in college. It was my answer to how I was doing or feeling. Overwhelmed soon became my most comfortable place; I wrapped it around myself like a warm, cozy blanket. The demands of my professors, my coursework, my internship, my rent, my job, my commitments, my relationships, and my social life were always on the verge of swallowing me whole. 

I was also a pretty good master at blame shifting in the middle of my overwhelm. Everything and everyone else were making me overwhelmed. That one professor was the problem. The syllabus was the issue. The other girl in the group project was the factor. 

Living overwhelmed and blaming outside circumstances for my state of mind did me zero favors.

Does this speak to anyone today? Are you overwhelmed or stressed? Blaming others for how you feel? Certainly this is no way to live. 

Thank goodness Jesus calls us to a life of present peace, to overcoming overwhelm, and to a lighter load. 

One of the best practices we can implement is handing our stress to the One who can handle everything. That year in college, I began to write out what was overwhelming me. I had my Bible open next to me as my pen spilled my cares all over the page. I imagined the page at the feet of Jesus, and I let it all tumble out and fall at the foot of his throne. Then I began to erase the word overwhelmed from my vocabulary. 

I didn’t want to be defined by overwhelm; I wanted to be defined by peace. 

God has given us today. Yesterday is done and tomorrow is not here. Today is where we live. Let’s take all the hurts of yesterday and the fears of tomorrow and write them out. That heavy load of overwhelming anxiety about your exams and your bills and your future? Jesus wants to relieve you from carrying that around yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You weren’t meant to shoulder that weight. Let God carry your load. In the world there is trouble. In him? Peace.

Today, remember that Christ has overcome the world. Take a moment to tell him what feels overwhelming to you. Imagine yourself handing it over to him. Ask him to give you the peace he promises as an overcomer.