August 2007: The Overwhelm (Pt 1)

Many of us are familiar with Psalms 61:1-2 - “Hear my cry O God, attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

At various stages of our lives we would do anything to escape feeling what we feel and experiencing the situation we face but being overwhelmed is not always a negative state. At times we are so over-awed and overcome with the goodness of God that we cannot speak, all we can do is be still, be silent, no muscle moving at all. At other times all we can do is literally run around the house, park or church as we try to find a way to express our love, our gratitude our joy at being loved by God our Father and being one with Him. It’s like when your child is so appreciative of what you have said or done that for a moment he/she just looks at you then, having no ability to vocalise their feelings they throw themselves at you with a big hug, squeeze and kiss. That too is a state of overwhelm and it’s just beautiful.

I believe without a shadow of doubt that this is transition time for many. There is a shift from what we are familiar with, the patterns of life that we know, have seen and know how to deal with even if we don’t like it. However, this time is different. There is nothing to hook on to, nothing to draw reference from or depend on except God Himself. Surely He knows the way that we take.

How Do We Deal With The Overwhelm?

Accept it as part of your process

Feeling overwhelmed is not a sin. There can be associated feelings/statements that do not help in such times e.g. “I can’t cope”; “why is this happening to me?” “Isn’t God seeing what is taking place – why doesn’t he DO something?” These can lead you to feeling discouraged; as if no-one (including God) isn’t bothered. However, have you ever considered that the place of your overwhelm is where your greatest peace and deliverance will be manifested?

Let’s consider Joshua and the Children of Israel as they were about to cross Jordan in Joshua 3. They got to Jordan and lodged there three days. Do you feel you are waiting for “something” to happen before you launch out in obedience to what God has said to do? Fine. You’re in a good position. The Children of Israel were instructed to wait until they saw the ark of the covenant being moved and only then should they move. In the meantime, they were to sanctify themselves. As you are waiting, as you are in preparation for the moment of your move – ensure your heart is cleansed; purified; freed from any negative thing that would hinder you in any way; free yourself from unnecessary talk and activity; be ready.

God reassured Joshua that He would validate him in front of all Israel so there would be no doubt that God was with him as He was with Moses. (vs 7). Twelve men, one from each tribe, were to be chosen to bear the ark of the Lord and they would have to stand in the waters of Jordan. Only then would the waters be cut off. (vs 12-13)

This may sound like an easy thing but in verse 15 we are told that at the time of harvest the waters overflowed all its banks. Do you fancy stepping into a river that is overflowing its banks? In other words, there is no sure footing on the banks which is where you are supposed to get a grip in order to enter the river. The very place that is supposed to be safe is no longer safe. The same area where you are supposed to get your bearings before taking the plunge is itself a part of the overwhelm but it is where you must get to in order to see the promise of God fulfilled – not just for you but for everyone with whom you have contact and more. When the 12 men of Israel stepped into the waters of Jordan, the waters were cut off and the rest of the Children of Israel passed by on dry ground. (vs 16) Please note: although they had to get wet initially, because of their obedience, they then stood on dry ground as the waters ceased and they stayed there until absolutely everyone passed over. (vs 17). Let’s summarise what happened:

1) God had to be believed.

2) The place of “overwhelm” had to be faced.

3) People were prepared to get wet so others wouldn’t have to be.

4) In getting wet, those same people experienced dry land too.

In order to experience “normal” situations becoming abnormal just for you, your family, your city, your ministry, your nation, are you prepared to follow through with these points?

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Rev Marjorielyn R Campbell