"When My Heart Is Overwhelmed"

Scripture: Psalm 61:2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Observation:
This verse is a desperate cry.  It is obvious that it's writer is at wit's end.  He's tried everything with in his power, but still ended up completed overwhelmed.  And he's reached the point that all he can do is say, "Carry me, God.  Fix my eyes on you.  Get me over this mountain… Or be with me while I sit here in the valley.  I'm at the end of my strength.  But you are my rock."

And let's not forget how the Lord answered when Paul prayed a similar prayer: "My grace is sufficient for you and my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Application:
This time of year is testing season in the education world.  In most classrooms, the brakes have been put on great instruction in favor of practice tests and bubble sheets.  And as I talk to nervous kids about doing their best and minimizing anxiety, I am reminded of the time I was in my ninth grade math class taking a test on parabolas.  I didn't understand the first question and so I panicked.  I went into an irrational mindset and couldn't make myself move on to the next question.  I started to shake and then cry.  And when I finally stood up at the end of the class period with my blank test, I fainted out cold in the floor.  Needless to say, I have some test anxiety.

That same feeling of panic, of loss of all senses, threatens to take me over again right now because of situations that are completely overwhelming.  This morning, all I can do is lift up these things to the Lord and say, "I can't.  But you are higher."

• I'm lifting up a family member is who hurting herself and everyone she loves… And I'm lifting up my other family members who's hearts are breaking because of her.
• I'm lifting up a friend and her family who are going through an absolute nightmare with their teenager.
• I'm lifting up a friend who is adjusting to a huge life change and feels overwhelmed and insufficient.
• I'm lifting up a teenage girl who's parents absolutely hate each other right now…. And several other of my girls who's families are just a constant source of anxiety.
• I'm lifting up a friend's relative who is trying his best to figure out what life will look like without drugs… and for my friend as she tries to guide him.

My heart is overwhelmed.

(To the friends mentioned above, please don't read this as you are overwhelming me or that you are burdening me. I am humbled and honored that you allow me to be broken with you. We are called to love each other through these times.)

So I cry out this verse.

Prayer:
Lord, it seems like so many people that I love are just suffocating in their circumstances right now.  My heart is broken.  God, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Carry me… I'm not strong enough.  Carry those that I love.  Lead them to the rock.  Let me be a light to them.  Show me how to point them to you.  Thank you that you care for us as we navigate the brokenness of this life.  And thank you for the hope that we have that this life isn't all.  I thank you for making a way for me to spend eternity with you, My Rock.  In Jesus' name!  Amen!

Confident in this…
Miranda