Caught up in problems? Keep making mistakes and not sure how to come out of it? Don't worry—there is a light before the end of the tunnel.
The daunting feeling of facing an impossible challenge is common to many people, and it's a horrible feeling; you can't move and are stuck and destined to end up failing.
And this is also the experience I've had this week. Being surrounded by a plethora of impossible problems which seem like they are about to implode on you without enough time to solve them... And yes, the time variable always plays an intimidating role in the process.
As I try to put on my game face on, as I brace myself for the imminent onslaught of tasks, I find myself stressed and unable to cope with the rapid change in attitude required to get through problems.
In one of the conversations which followed, I was scrupulously convinced there's no such thing as problems, just challenges (through a steep learning curve). And the challenge rests with how we approach God to help us get through.
When it comes to getting through those impossible tasks, no one is better at it than God and this is where our hope needs to be placed.
Now this doesn't mean we don't have to do anything else. An attitude change is required: A change which rests in God's solution and what he wants us to do.
How to overcome being overwhelmed
Here are the steps I learnt in church for how to overcome being overwhelmed (based upon the story presented in 2 Chronicles chapter 20)
- Pray. There is nothing more important than building our relationship with God (and helping others to as well). Go to God first! (verse 3)
- Focus on God and not the problem (verse 6). God is more capable than us to get us through our difficulties... He is bigger and stronger than our troubles: Place your trust in Him!
- Acknowledge our inability to solve the problem (verse 12). In the bible we have the perfect illustration of this: Our strength is made perfect in weakness. We don't have to act like we are able to do everything ourselves: Let go and let God!
- Turn from worry to worship (verse 18). This is how there is light even before the end of the tunnel. We don't have to wait till we see God deliver us from our challenges... Trust in Him now and move on!
- Rest in God's blessing (verse 25). When we trust in God to get us through, he blesses us. And when I say blesses us, I don't just mean the blessing of victory; of overcoming our challenges. I also mean a blessing because of obedience by trusting in God and handing him the controls voluntarily (and the glory).
So what shall I say? Even though I have not yet come through the difficulties, the burden is now so much lighter!
I shall say it time and time again, there is no such thing as a bad event or experience. It is written "All things work together for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans chapter 8 verse 28) Our experience is never the 'lesser of two bads,' but always a positive outcome.
So the conclusion of the matter is this: To get through the series of impossible challenges, we must acknowledge (as in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 15) that the battle is not ours, but the Lord's, and rest in His security.
Tim Robertson is from Sydney, and likes to write about recent learnings in the hope that other people may also benefit from them.
Tim Robertson's previous articles may be found www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-robertson.html