Young People's Group

RISING ABOVE OVERWHELMING SITUATIONS

by Pastor Mitch
October 11, 2009

When The Heart Is Overwhelmed

Life can be overwhelming at times. This is especially so when we are faced with many challenging situations at one time. Situations like facing the pressures of coming exams, not doing as well in school, having family or friendship problems can overwhelm us. King David wrote Psalm 61 at a time when he was beset by grave difficulties (Psalm 61:2). He had to face a problem with enemies who sought to bring him down (Psalm 61:3). Of course, there were other problems that King David faced that were not mentioned in this Psalm. Even David who was close to God felt overwhelmed by the struggles of life. However, he did not allow himself to continue to be in this state. He sought to rise above them.

David’s Example In Rising Above The Challenges Of Life

How did David cope with the overwhelming challenges of life?

1. Crying Out To God In Prayer

“Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You” 
Psalm 61:1-2

David cried out to the Lord in faith. He believed in the power of prayer. From wherever he was, he prayed to the Lord to help him. Young people, we may feel that we are far away from the Lord. From wherever we are, even from the ends of the earth, we can cry out to God for help.

2. Seeking A Higher Level Of Faith

“When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” 
Psalm 61:2

When we feel overwhelmed, very often, our focus is on ourselves rather than the Lord. Our challenge is to ask the Lord to lead us to a higher plane of faith where we can see things differently. It is at a higher level of faith that we will not feel overwhelmed because our focus is now on the Lord. Young people, let’s seek this greater faith in Him.

3. Increasing Trust In God As A Strong Shelter

“For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” 
Psalm 61:3-4

David had seen how the Lord had been a shelter for him in the past. He trusted in God and He was a strong tower for him. As he faced the challenge of life, he was determined to trust in God as his shelter for the present and the future. Young people, let’s also see how God has been a shelter in the past. Let’s increase our trust in the Lord as our strong shelter and refuge for the future.

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