Are you overwhelmed? What do you do when life is overwhelming? How do you handle things when you are despaired?

Welcome to Chats over coffee. Grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prepare. I had a cup of black coffee in my Germany mug.

I had planned to continue writing some of my thoughts about Special Needs and even had started a post. But this morning as I was studying 2 Corinthians in preparation for our autumn Bible study, I was encouraged and thought I would share what I learned in this passage.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe it is the end of summer and the beginning of school lurking and the thought of all the things that needs to be done and knowing that the schedule will become busy. So many things can overwhelm us–circumstances, children, schedules, health, etc.

Paul writes to the Corinthians that he experience affliction and was so burdened beyond his strength and that he despaired fo life itself. Paul was facing affliction.

Our affliction might not be the same as the apostle Paul’s. It might not be that severe but it is our affliction. How did Paul respond? Let’s learn from him and face our affliction the same way.

How to face affliction

Rely on God

Paul says that this affliction caused him not to rely on himself but on God. We realise our limitations but we have a limitless God.

Ask God for wisdom in how to deal with the overwhelmed bits. Look to God for strength to handle what is happening. Depend on God for help.

One of my favourite verses to remember when the overwhelmed feeling comes is Psalm 121:1-2. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (ESV) God who made heaven and earth is your help.

Don’t rely on yourself in these times rely on God.

Set your hope on God

Paul states that it was on God that he set his hope knowing that God would deliver him. Our hope is from God. When we are putting our hope in God, it is a sure foundation. But when we hope in what we can do, it is our best efforts which is not enough.

Ask others for prayer

We need others to join us in prayer. It might be just asking a few close friends to pray. It might be your small group. Paul said, “you also must help us by prayer,” (1 Corinthians 1:11). Knowing that others are praying can be an encouragement to us. They receive a blessing as they pray and see God working in the circumstances of your life.

So when life is overwhelming, here are three things that you need to do. I wonder if we were to do these three things how our attitude might change.

Are you feeling overwhelmed at this time? Maybe you are like me and weary. There are some circumstances that are just wearing me out and causing me to be a bit weary. Writing this has been an encouragement to me. I trust that it will encourage you as well.

Three things to do:

1. Rely on God.
2. Set your hope on God
3. Ask Others to Pray