Overwhelmed…in the best way

Overwhelmed

My word for 2020.

But don’t let that word fool you. Yes it sounds negative at first and yes, this year has been overwhelming and hard in really tough ways. Not just from the uncertainty of this global pandemic and division within people, but personally through things I have walked through. And I know people can relate because we all walk through hard things and go through trials. Overwhelmed is definitely a word that describes all this year has been.

But the true reason I am choosing the word overwhelmed is because I am utterly and beautifully overwhelmed, by God’s love in this season.

A lot of people have a word that they choose for the new year and as I was trying to choose my word in January I just did not have a word that came to my mind that felt like it was the right one. Then today as I was thinking and contemplating about God and all He has done and is doing, not just in my life but others lives I have witnessed, I felt a surge of emotion come over me: I feel overwhelmed by who God is and by His vast powerful love for me/us.

I have felt God in the moments I needed Him most and I have experienced his peace that does surpass all understanding.

Lately, I have seen His promises written in the sunsets and felt His mighty, strong presence in the leaves blowing in the gentle breeze.

It is truly indescribable who Jesus is and what He will do in your life and the ways He will show himself to, if you only believe and are open to Him.

He has changed my life and it has overwhelmed me in the best way lately.

Even though this year has been difficult with world tragedies and personal tragedies we have all walked through silently, honestly, I believe I will always look back on 2020 and see so much beauty because this year I have felt my faith deepen in a new and big way.

Because when I am going through a trial, no doubt it is hard. Believing in God and having a strong faith does not mean this life will be any easier. Pain will come because that is life. But in the midst of the trial, I always like to remember two big things:

God is walking right beside you and leading you to calmer waters and I remember it is not where you have been or what you have been through, it is about where your brokenness leads you to: Jesus.

And that is what makes 2020 beautiful for me. Every hard thing this year, I have brought to the foot of the cross and to Jesus, and He has and is helping me walk through each trial.

God has met me in my valleys and He has directed me to things to give me peace and speak that hope over me when I truly needed it.

Jesus meets you where you are and if you remember that all the tough times leads you into the arms of Jesus, that is all that matters.

Truly, that is what matters in life.

You do not need to view your trial always as a bad thing. Of course, things are hard and painful and it is ok to say that and feel that way because things can be really hard to walk through, but one day the pain will be gone and you won’t remember the struggle, you will just see God’s glory and beauty in all those cracks and crevices.

Because that is who God is and that’s what He does with our trials.

I came across a verse, that has given me so much peace and comfort through the challenges I have been walking through, in 2 Corinthians 4:7:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all…”

Really notice the exact words that are used in this verse. It says our troubles are light and momentary. Our troubles are light compared to all the good that awaits us in eternity. They are momentary because they will pass and will not last forever.

Our troubles and pain can be used by God for good. For your glory and most importantly, for God’s glory.

It ends with saying an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

That is SUPER powerful!!

The weight of eternity diminishes our present trials/troubles and the good and love of God will always outweigh the bad.

Like I have challenged myself, I ask you that you challenge yourself and start uprooting the negative lies that were either spoken over you by someone, the media, or the enemy, and start GLANCING at your trial and GAZING at God.

Meditate on this verse and know that you are never alone and what you are walking through this year is not a surprise to God. He will help you navigate through this storm to calmer times.

This current trial you are facing, whatever it may be, is overwhelming and it is ok to acknowledge that but I believe if you acknowledge God more and wholeheartedly ask Him to reveal himself to you in a powerful way, He will because He loves you and wants to renew your mind and life.

Another verse that gives me great comfort through trials, is John 16:33, which says:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world…”

Trials are going to come but we do not have to worry because God is good and in control of the whole world. We can rest easy knowing that every little thing will be ok and the source of our ultimate hope is waiting to welcome us into eternity, when our time comes.

His love has overwhelmed my heart this year in the most raw and beautiful way and I truly pray whoever is reading this feels the depth of His love for you.

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in our pain or trial and forget that we have God sitting right next to us wanting to carry our load for us, all we have to do is talk to him, receive His love, and ask Him to help us.

God has given me a new meaning to the word overwhelmed and I hope you find that too ❤

All for Jesus,

Steph