Let’s be honest: life has a way of throwing so many curveballs at us, and at times, it can feel completely overwhelming.
As believers, we’re often told to pray harder and “take every thought captive.” And while that is absolutely biblical, what happens when you’ve prayed, you’ve surrendered, and you’re still feeling overwhelmed?
Don’t get me wrong – I am a strong believer in the power of prayer, and I wholeheartedly believe that we should continually take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). But what does that look like practically when we’re in the middle of an overwhelming season?
First, it’s important to remember that feeling overwhelmed is a completely normal human experience. Even Jesus experienced deep anguish and sorrow. Before His crucifixion, Jesus withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and speak with the Father.
There are three things we can learn from Jesus’ experience when we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed.
1. Create space to be still and surround yourself with trusted people.
Jesus withdrew from the crowd and the noise and went to a quiet place to pray. He brought Peter, James, and John with Him.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” Matthew 26:36–37
There is something powerful about intentionally stepping away from the noise and creating space to be alone with God. But notice that Jesus did not isolate Himself completely. He brought three trusted disciples with Him. You were never meant to do life alone.
When you’re overwhelmed, having a few trusted people you can be vulnerable and honest with is important. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself. Allow yourself to be supported, prayed for, and encouraged by people you trust.
2. Be honest with God about how you feel.
Jesus did not pretend to be okay. He didn’t hide His emotions or minimize what He was experiencing. He openly expressed how he felt:
“Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” Matthew 26:38
In the book of Luke, we can see how intense it was for Him:
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:44
Jesus showed us that experiencing intense emotions does not make us weak or less faithful. You can love God deeply and still feel overwhelmed.
You can have faith and still experience sadness, fear, grief, anxiety, disappointment, or exhaustion. The goal isn’t to pretend those feelings don’t exist. Instead, we can bring them honestly before God. God already knows what is happening in our hearts. We don’t have to hide from Him.
3. Surrender your feelings and circumstances to God.
Jesus was honest about what He wanted. He asked the Father if there was another way. Yet, despite the weight of what He was facing, He ultimately surrendered His will to the Father’s.
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:39
Later, He prayed again:
“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:42
Jesus didn’t deny how difficult the situation was. He acknowledged His emotions, brought them to God, and ultimately surrendered to the Father’s will. Surrender doesn’t mean you stop feeling. It means you trust God with what you feel.
When you’re overwhelmed, you don’t have to choose between acknowledging your emotions and having faith. You can do both. It simply means you’re human.
So when life feels like too much, remember the example Jesus gave us: step away from the noise, seek God, be honest about what you’re feeling, lean on trusted people, and surrender what you cannot control to the One who can.
Journal Prompt
Write a prayer to God, being open and transparent about the things that have been overwhelming you lately