Learning to Walk by Faith in the Valley of Overwhelmed, Part 1
“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Maybe you feel that way right now! The forces against you are too much, and you don’t know what to do. The King of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20 can relate to those feelings. In fact, he prayed, “O our God … We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!” He was facing not one but an alliance of three armies coming against him. He was desperate. He was in what I call “the valley of overwhelmed.” You may be there today. You’re not facing a physical army, but the forces against you threaten to destroy you and forfeit the life God wants for you. It could be depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, worry, or shame over past regrets. Maybe it’s your marriage or another relationship that’s been broken by hurt and misunderstanding. Whatever it is, you are feeling alone in the valley of overwhelmed, and you don’t know what to do. You feel helpless against overwhelming odds.
When we are in the valley of overwhelmed, we think our problems are so big that we can’t make a difference. But God doesn’t ask us to do something big and great to solve them. He just asks us to take one step of faith and trust Him. When we do, we get to see Him do something big and great that will move us from the valley of overwhelmed into the valley of blessing! This week, we are going to see how to take that step. I may not know you personally, but I know this much about you: you are either in the valley of being overwhelmed, or you will be there one day. God allows these challenges and problems in our lives to develop our faith and teach us how to grow. So, whether you are in the valley now or not, God’s Word will offer you practical counsel for what to do and how to walk by faith even when nothing makes sense.
Here's the first step that has helped me when I find myself in the valley of overwhelmed: stop fretting and remember God is with me. Knowing that God is with you changes everything! Look at what God tells this King in 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT), “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” Now, add to that the promise from the New Testament in Romans 8:31 (NIV), “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God is with you, and God is for you! This means that your greatest obstacle is God’s greatest opportunity to show Himself mighty in your life!
We get overwhelmed when we take God out of the picture. Remember that God is with you and for you, and every problem will be an opportunity in disguise! Whatever is overwhelming you right now, give it to God. Thank Him that even when you feel alone, God is with you; even when you feel rejected, God is for you! It will strengthen your faith, in spite of your fears. It’s the first step forward, moving you from the valley of overwhelmed into the valley of blessing!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.