Turn to Rock of ages in troubling times
It is so easy to get overwhelmed in this high stress modern life we live in.
Work is often overwhelming.
Family problems can be overwhelming.
Watching a loved one struggle with health issues or losing a loved one is overwhelming.
COVID-19 and its daily impact on our jobs, our families and our lives in general is overwhelming.
Actually, being overwhelmed at times is a very natural part of being a human being. This truth is shown in Scripture in Psalm 61:1&2, which says, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer... when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Notice that this verse does not say “if” my heart gets overwhelmed, but “when” my heart is overwhelmed. It is going to happen, even to the best of us.
We will be overwhelmed at some point. Circumstances around us will be more than we can physically and emotionally handle, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.
The question is, what will we do when we become overwhelmed?
Will we focus on the issue and lean on our own strength to get through it? Or will we look to our “Rock”?
Praise the Lord that we have a spiritual “Rock” in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is unmoved by the circumstances of life. Unlike us, He is never overwhelmed.
This verse reminds us that He is “Higher” than us and stronger than us. I am glad that we don't have to depend solely upon our own strength when life gets overwhelming.
If you know Jesus Christ and have put your trust in Him, then you have a “Rock” that you can tie into. He is all knowing and all powerful and yet He loves you so much that He wants to be your personal “Rock.”
Whatever struggles you find yourself going through during these trying times, let me encourage you to stop attempting to handle them on your own. You weren't designed to and you don't have to.
Spend some time in prayer and meditation with Jesus Christ and center yourself on Him. Let Him be your “Rock” during the “overwhelming” times of life.
Pastor Ben Oesterling is the senior pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Prospect.
