Psalm 16:11

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What do you do when you feel bombarded by chaos and hardship in numerous areas of your life? How can you navigate relational tension, or financial challenges or health concerns when you’re already feeling frazzled and like you’re one more catastrophe from a total meltdown?

Disclosure: I don’t handle emotional overwhelm well, which is why I find today’s post, by AWSA sister Melissa Heiland so helpful–and important. It reiterates a message God has been speaking into my soul: I’m not stuck in today’s crisis or my reactive response. Each day, by His grace, I can grow in the peace and confidence befitting a well-cared for child of Almighty God.

May her words encourage you as well.

I woke up on Monday feeling completely overwhelmed, paralyzed by anxiety. I had so much to do yet felt completely unable to focus on even the most basic tasks. Some days, some seasons are like that. Chest pains, anxiety, lethargy, fear – these are all symptoms of emotional overwhelm. We love the Lord. We trust in Him. We know He is all-sufficient, yet we can still become overwhelmed with circumstances, past and present. Sometimes it is a result of current situations. Sometimes a culmination of hurts that hit us like a ton of bricks. Sometimes we know why – an anniversary, a phone call, the sight of someone who looks like someone else.

In my case, it was a storyline seen on television. It started a cascade of memories and feelings that are always there, but not always at the surface of my thoughts. And I was drowning, unable to do the things I needed to do because of the weight of the thoughts. We can know the Lord, love the Lord and trust the Lord and still feel the weight of emotions in our mind, heart and soul. As a woman who has dealt with much trauma, I am quite familiar with overwhelm, Jesus is the answer to all life’s problems, and I’d like to share some things I’ve learned that helped me deal with emotional overwhelm as a daughter of the King.

For me, the most important thing is to give myself grace. I’m learning not to beat myself up for the bad days or seasons. Jesus knows my pain; He keeps my tears in a bottle. He suffered on earth as well. Feeling the pain and the hurt is not a sin. It is a result of sin. When I am feeling this way, it’s not only okay, but necessary to slow down. God has control of my life. When I need to step back, I know that He’s always there filling in the gaps. He is faithful.

Spending time in nature helps me in the seasons. It’s tempting to stay inside, locked away from the world, but fresh air and a change of scenery can be healing. God created so much beauty for us in the mountains, the beach, the flowers, the trees. He’s used all his creation at times as a salve to my wounded soul.

Exercise can be healing. I’m not an athlete by any stretch of imagination, but walking restores balance to my mind. God created our bodies in an incredible way. We know that when we exercise, chemicals that promote feelings of calm are released in our bodies. Exercise, even in small amounts, helps up relax and cope with our emotions.

Listening to worship music when I am overwhelmed is very comforting to me. It helps me to get the perspective that is so easily lost. It reminds me of the truths of the Scripture. When I worship, my thoughts turn to Jesus instead of my circumstances, and I remember I’m not alone.

When I’m overwhelmed, I try to focus on gratitude. I try to remember the good in my life and to speak these things aloud or write them down. Sometimes, I’ll reread things I have written about the goodness of God in my life. This helps ground me when things feel out of control.

Feelings of overwhelm can take me by surprise, like they did on Monday. Monday was a hard day, but Tuesday was much better. I’ve experienced seasons of overwhelm that lasted much longer than a day. But God has always been faithful to me. He’s spoken words of kindness, love and grace to my heart in times of great distress. His presence and love is a constant in my life. My feelings may change like the wind, but God is never-changing. He is with me in the overwhelm comforting me, patiently bringing me back to the peace that passes understanding.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. ~ Psalm 16:11

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If this post resonated with you, make sure to check out Carol and my conversation on the Faith Over Fear podcast in the episode titled “Emotional Overwhelm: Finding Christ’s Peace When You’ve Reached Your Limit“. Download the free companion guide HERE.

You might find February 10ths episode, titled “Finding God’s Peace When the World Feels Hostile and Out of Control“.

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Get to Know Melissa Heiland:

Melissa Heiland is a wife, mother of 6, and grandmother of 14. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Feet International, a ministry that starts international pregnancy ministries. She is an author, speaker, and missionary. Her passion is teaching others to share the Gospel and to protect life.

Check Out Her Latest Release, You Are Wonderful: Psalm 139 for Children

Who knows you better than anyone? Discover the answers in Psalm 139! No matter where you come from or where you are in the world, you are loved, and you are never alone. Through this timeless message found in Psalm 139, using heartwarming illustrations and simple language, You Are Wonderful brings joy, security, and comfort to little children everywhere. Available in English and also in Spanish as Eres Maravilloso. This beautiful full-color book is a perfect size for little hands, on sturdy paper, perfect for bedtime or anytime. Each captivating illustration represents children from all over the world. In easy-to-understand language, children will receive the comforting security of knowing God is with them and thinks they are wonderful!

Getting to the Root of Your Anxiety: Looking at Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Influences – Faith Over Fear

In this episode of the Faith Over Fear podcast, host Carol McCracken and guest Dr. Marcus Warner discuss how anxiety often points to deeper wounds, fear-based beliefs and unmet needs for connection rather than simply "weak faith." Dr. Warner explains how past pain, isolation, distorted thinking and spiritual struggles can fuel cycles of fear and overthinking, while also offering practical tools to help listeners better understand what their anxiety may be revealing. Together, they explore practical ways to calm the body, renew the mind and strengthen connection with God and others during seasons of distress. Listeners will gain insight into replacing fear-filled thoughts with truth, recognizing emotional triggers, building resilience and developing healthier responses to anxiety over time. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by panic, uncertainty or recurring what-if thoughts, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps toward greater peace and healing. Resource Referenced: Understanding the Wounded Heart by Dr. Marcus Warner Find Dr. Marcus Warner's ministry at/on: the Deeper Walk International website Instagram Facebook YouTube Amazon Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram If this episode encouraged you, you might gain additional encouragement from Jennifer's conversation with Dr. Warner regarding his book, Breakthrough. Find that episode titled "When You Feel Stuck and Need a Breakthrough" HERE. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Getting to the Root of Your Anxiety: Looking at Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Influences
  2. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ
  3. Break Free from Shame: Carol McCracken’s Story of Freedom and Restoration
  4. Feeling Left Out? Christ Seats You at the Table of Honor
  5. When Your Loved One is an Alcoholic or Addict


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sunrise, flowers, and clouds with quote regarding joy

Some of my darkest periods have occurred when I’ve appeared to have every reason for joy. And I’ve experienced deep joy during difficult and painful situations.

About ten years ago, after a series of moves and job shifts, our family landed in a small town northeast of Kansas City, MO. I homeschooled at the time, we weren’t wealthy by any means, but our finances were solid and our bills paid, our marriage strong, and our home-life largely tension free.

But I was miserable. Defeated and confused. In pursuing what I thought would bring me joy, I was robbing myself of it.

At the time, I was working toward a teaching degree, or perhaps geology or chemistry, I can’t remember which. (I changed my mind regarding potential career plans each semester, it seemed—because I wasn’t called to any of them.) I knew with the deep yet quiet certainty that can only come from the Holy Spirit within that God wanted me to write, something I had no problem doing—as a hobby and according to my terms.

Terms that involved ample self-protection, also known as no transparency, and guaranteed financial payoffs.

But God was calling me to surrender. Everything. My plans, desires, wisdom, and all those prospects certain to include a secure 401K and steady paycheck. For surely, aren’t those things, and all the material benefits included in them, what bring joy?

If that were true, I would’ve had it in abundance. Instead, my heart felt dulled and dark, a darkness that increased as, through disobedience, I continued to distance myself from God and His love.

Light—and joy—flooded in the moment I surrendered.

I experienced the converse of this about four years later when a mysterious illness began stealing my energy and dignity. Though I later discovered the cause of my rapid weight loss and related symptoms, for almost a year I sat in the tension of not knowing. Of fretting and imagining and striving to control what felt like a revolting body. But in the middle of all my uncertainty and pain, I experienced peace.

And joy. A joy much greater and stronger and more abiding than my circumstances—a joy Image of mountains, lake, and a sunset with a quote pulled from the postfound in abundance as I sat, each day, in God’s presence. Because, as Psalm 16:11 states, joy comes not in the absence of difficulties but instead in God’s presence. As we hit pause on our busyness and each day’s stressors, as we allow His gentle whisper to drown out our worries and fears, He births joy within us.

His joy, not ours, given to us as a gift, if we’ll receive it. A gift that doesn’t necessarily abate our sorrow. In fact, joy and sorrow, even intense sorrow, can quite naturally co-exist. It did for Jesus, as He wept in the Garden on the night before His death. I imagine it did for God the Father as well, when He sent His precious Son into our sin-tainted world.

Joy isn’t an emotion. Those come and go based on countless external circumstances. Rather, joy is a deep awareness and appreciation for God’s love and grace, which is always at work, even in our darkest moments.

Let’s talk about this! What resonated with you most in today’s post? Is there anything you disagree with or maybe would add? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, because we can all learn from and encourage one another.

cover for Bible studySpeaking of finding joy during hard or painful periods, for those following along with our Becoming His Princess Bible study, last week we talked about ways to remain faithful during periods of disillusionment. You can watch that session HERE. You can grab a free copy (ebook) of the study HERE.

If one of your friends or loved ones is hurting but you don’t quite no what to say, how to respond, or how to help, you may find encouragement from my post on my Crosswalk blog on helping our hurting friends. You can read that HERE.