By Pastor Donnie Hinshaw
How are you doing? How are you holding up? This weekend I will be speaking on Philippians 4:2-9 and it couldn’t be more appropriate. I know, I say that all the time but I really do mean it this time. We are facing unprecedented statistics in our world right now when it comes to emotional struggles like anxiety, depression, fear, anger, doubt, uncertainty . . . the list and numbers are staggering.
Emotional struggles are becoming our new normal.
So what do we do when we feel overwhelmed and under pressure? For some, overwhelming pressure is the impetus for apathy, for others, it promotes recklessness. Very few people thrive when pressure mounts. But being overwhelmed can actually serve a purpose; and when we find it, our story will have greater meaning and impact as a result.
Last week I shared about Nehemiah and the adversity and change that overwhelmed him so much that his only hope was to rely on prayer and the faithfulness of God to come through during tough times. Here is another snapshot of what his culture was facing. It might sound eerily similar to what we feel too.
[10] In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” [11] And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.”
(Nehemiah 4:10-11 ESV)
“There is too much rubble . . .” was just their way of saying, “We have no answers. We are losing hope. There is too much uncertainty. We are overwhelmed!”
I’ve always been captivated by the words of Jesus in His message we commonly refer to as The Sermon on the Mount. I have to admit, I think my mental image of the scene is more serene and ethereal than what really took place. I want to picture the plot as a nice spring day with the warm sun peeking through the clouds, warming the faces of the Jews who were patiently listening and taking notes on their Moleskine journals with a cup of coffee. I want to believe that some of them were closing their eyes and listening intently like they were savoring every word. Life was beautiful in that moment as children were probably taking quiet naps on the laps of their mothers. Drop the track “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong in the background and you would have to grab a tissue because of the beauty and emotion; do you feel it?
Each time I read the Bible I’m challenged by this very image of sentimentalism. For instance, the story of Noah and his family on the ark is often plastered on the walls and bedding of children’s nurseries all over the world. Don’t forget this:it was a terrible story that produced all kinds of anxiety, yet was met by God’s faithfulness! The story of Christ coming into the world as God in the flesh is usually displayed in pageants with lights, robes with glitter and angels singing four part harmonies at the top of their lungs. Don’t forget this though: it was a story of a poor virgin and her new husband delivering a child, God’s only Son, in the worst conditions possible. Talk about anxiety and overwhelming pressure that had to lead to questions and doubt! But God writes the story and He is always faithful to finish it.
OVERWHELMED? DON’T FORGET THIS:
The Bible doesn’t make our story easy, it makes our story worthy because of God’s glory.
As I laid in bed last night I was overwhelmed by the journey we have been on in the last six months during this pandemic. It’s been overwhelming and the rubble pile seems to just get bigger by the day but we are still here and God is still with us. We will not only survive the next six months, we will thrive.
The days we are in are just an opportunity for God to say,“Don’t forget this…”
Nehemiah’s story and our story are similar. The strength they needed to “bear the burdens” was failing. They must of said over and over to each other while working through the stress, “… we are not going to make it. ” Not only was the work full of pressure, but the enemy was beginning to strategize an all out assault to stop their progress. It wasn’t a pretty scene for them in the moment. But we know the end story and that’s why it’s sentimental to us. They finished. God was faithful even in their overwhelming discouragement.
I know the end story for us too. He is faithful.
DON’T FORGET THIS: Jesus said to those doubting Jews on the hill in the middle of a chaotic Roman oppressed culture,
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, … seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
(Matthew 6:25, 33-34 ESV)
To be sure, some of the struggles in our life will be self induced by poor human decision making, but even in this, God is faithful and just to lead us through by His gracious love and restore us. A careful understanding of Biblical narratives will always reveal to us that every faithful person has to go through difficult circumstances to find faith. Being overwhelmed and discouraged can and will test your faith; nobody is spared of difficult moments in life. DON’T FORGET THIS:HE IS FAITHFUL.
Where do we find hope, when life feels overwhelming? Where does the church find strength to build its mission when the neighborhood is filled with overwhelmed and over-stressed people?
My prayer for you: May the Lord grant you the courage to face conflict today. As you face your overwhelming moments in life, may you bond with the Lord in deeper ways that you might live to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God through it.
Pastor Donnie