3 Effective Ways to Overcome Overwhelmed www.monahodgson.com

3 Effective Ways to Overcome Overwhelmed

Frustration and irritation will bubble just beneath the surface of our shuddering emotions, and if left unattended they will build steam and erupt into a full blown geyser. Perhaps today you’re battling the emotional boil that can come with feeling overwhelmed.

That was me. Frustration formed an underground spring out of I don’t even know what.

When we allow something—albeit a seemingly small disappointment or delay—to simmer inside us, it doesn’t take much else to switch the simmer to boil.

My voice gained volume and grew in intensity as aggravation gushed out, onto whomever stood in earshot.

My hubby.

The two dogs we were sitting.

The neighbors.

The UPS driver.

Anyone.

I had taken on too much. Perhaps you can relate?

You and I live life as jugglers. Juggling schedules. Relationships. Responsibilities. And it’s not easy to keep jobs, marriages, meal plans, ministry opportunities, community projects, soccer practice schedules, and homework in perfect rotation. Impossible, actually.

What’s a woman to do when she is over-scheduled? Overwhelmed? And oh so over it? Click To Tweet

Sometimes we need to disconnect from our daily routine. Even if it’s only a thirty minute break from the frustration at hand. Or a ten minute walk.

In my Southern California elementary school, I learned the stop, drop and roll fire safety technique. Three steps a fire victim should follow if their clothing catches fire.

Stop, cease any movement which may fan the flames.

Drop to the ground and lie down, if possible, covering their face.

Roll on the ground to extinguish the fire by depriving it of oxygen.

As I grew up, I adopted and adapted the concept of stop, drop and roll as a spiritual practice for fighting frustration and overcoming overwhelmed.

The spiritual practice of stop, drop and roll combats overwhelmed. Click To Tweet

STOP

Cease striving. Breathe.

What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 2:22

I can answer that: Cranky.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:3 NIV

Sometimes, make that often, we need to stop; take time to breathe in the grace of God.

DROP

If at all possible, drop what you’re doing.

He [God] says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
’”
Psalm 46:10 NIV

Let’s you and I be still. Contemplate what we know to be true—He is God! A trustworthy giver of grace and peace.

ROLL

That stuff that’s weighing your down? Roll it all onto Him and receive His rest.

God cares for us and is capable of providing for our every need.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 NIV

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV Click To Tweet

Go ahead–roll your shoulders. Lighter, right?

Here’s to us remembering to stop, drop and roll before our frustration becomes anger and bubbles to a boil.

I have a bonus tip for overcoming overwhelmed: Keep a Bible app on your phone, bookmark verses that will help you stop, drop and roll.

Bible apps suggestions for your iPhone or Android:

Bible Gateway

Blue Letter Bible

YouVersion Bible

 

Comments 1

  1. Mona, Thank you for your inspiring post . We all reach those times when life can feel so overwhelming. Sometimes when I can’t get away , I take the dog out and just ask God to bring his peace as I have reached the end of what I can handle on my own. Just those few moments can help me refocus.

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