Further, you absolutely must nurture relationships even when it’s difficult to do so. I’m a huge believer in counseling. I’ve sought it myself and reserve the right to do so again whenever I need it. I’m also a huge believer in the power of small groups as a community of fellow strugglers. Despite our Americanized individualism, God intended us to live as part of His family. He never meant for us to do life alone.
If you really want to overcome being overwhelmed, you have to make some choices. You don’t always choose to be depressed, but you can always choose to start doing something about it. Such as …
1. If you haven’t already, begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by expressing your full trust in Him as Savior.
2. Seek God’s forgiveness of any sin He brings to light.
3. Talk to your doctor about the physical and chemical issues possibly at play.
4. Intentionally open up and lean into your spouse, close friends and your church through a small group.
5. Get up in the morning and tackle the day, even when it feels overwhleming to do so.
6. Soak up God’s truth with a steady diet of his Word.
7. Live to please an audience of One. (Hint: It’s not you, your friends or the neighbors—it’s God.)
8. Discover who you are in Christ. Your new identity as God’s child is everything.
9. Shift your focus from your happiness to the happiness of others by serving and encouraging others daily.
10. Tell your story. Giving others permission to acknowledge their brokenness may change, or even save, a life.
Do we choose to be overwhelmed? Not always. But we can always choose to face it head on in community with others and in the power of the Spirit.
