“THIS WILL NOT OVERWHELM, NOR DEFEAT ME!”

by Tammy Phillips
July 23, 2021 

“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” (Psalm 61:2 KJV)

Early in our marriage, when Kris and I would go through difficult circumstances and begin to become discouraged, I would firmly say, “This will not defeat us!”  It became a banner flying over our marriage in our early years.  I am thankful that God reminded me of the proverb that He gave us.  I need to confess it more often.

Are you at wits end?  Are you drowning, sinking, floating, swimming or standing on the Rock in the sea of life?  Are you overwhelmed or overcoming?  Many of my friends and family are enduring some really stressful things, as well as their friends and family:

• The unexpected passing of a spouse
• The premature loss of a child
• Fighting cancer, the virus and other crippling diseases
• Battling aging and dementia
• Divorce
• Wayward children
• Unexpected pregnancies or troubles getting pregnant
• Chaos at work
• Not enough employees to keep their business running

Some are drowning.  Some are swimming.  Some are standing on the Rock, and some are walking on the water.  Two individuals could be experiencing the exact same thing but look at it differently.  One could be drowning by focusing on the problem, while the other could be standing on the Rock, focusing on the One, Jesus, who has the answer, strength, and power to help them overcome. 

We all go through life and experience tribulations.  WE MUST STAY FOCUSED.  It is too easy to become engulfed in trials.  By definition overwhelmed means to be crushed beneath something violent and weighty, that covers up or encompasses the whole; to be immersed and to bear down upon; to overlook gloomily.   The word whelm means to cover with water or other fluid; to cover by immersion in something that envelops on all sides; to cover completely; to immerse deeply; to overburden.  This sounds like drowning to me.  As Christians, the only thing that we should be totally immersed in is the word of God, not the cares of life.  It is the word of God that will help us float and walk on water, whether stormy or calm.   The LORD tells us:

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

When life tries to crush and crash in on us, do we turn to the problem, or do we turn to the Lord?  David said, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.”  (Psalm 142:3 NLT).  Our enemy is always in pursuit of us trying to steal, kill and destroy us… our marriage, our children, our life, our jobs, and our country.  When we feel swamped and covered up, turn to the Lord.  Cry out to Him. He will lead you through it.  He will be the saving rock on which you can stand.

I enCOURAGE you not to be overwhelmed with all the chaos that is spinning around in the world today.  Allow the Savior to save you.  Surrender to Him. Stop flailing around.  He has a saving word and direction for you.  Seek Him.  Call Him.  He will save you.  “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NLT). Through Him, you are more than a conqueror and can victoriously declare, ““THIS WILL NOT OVERWHELM, NOR DEFEAT ME!”

I am saved and covered by the Lord!” 

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 NLT)

My mom’s response to this post:  

“So much going on in people’s lives.  Breaks my heart for them.  I am so much older, wiser, and knowledgeable of God’s Word than I was, and it increases daily.  God IS the Answer!!! Without Him, where would “I” be?? With Him, I have hope, confidence, and assurance for today, and tomorrow!”-Marie Poon