Overwhelmed
- Michael Haldas
- Dec 18, 2025
- 4 min read
“We will face trials and tribulations in this life, but we need not be overwhelmed by them. Even Jesus stumbled and fell carrying His Cross…Through the operation of our wills, in cooperation with God's grace, we can surmount many of the trials and tribulations that life in the fallen world brings with it. We must endure them, because they are part of this world that we dwell in, but we need not be overwhelmed or determined by them.” (Fr. Joseph Irvin)
“Our task is to become so like God that we love Him and our fellow man, not for what we can extract from them, but because of the image of God they possess. If we want to live in peace, we have to realize that the only way to do so is to become God-like. Now, this doesn’t mean we do not have care in this world. It means we have cares, but they do not overwhelm us to the point that we are paralyzed or kept from seeing the good in all things and people.” (Reverend Christopher T. Metropulos, D. Min)
“The Lord prompts us to remain encouraged even in the midst of overwhelming trials and afflictions. Despite all the contrary purposes and plans of men, He gives firm assurance. As Saint Nikolai of Zicha says, “All that happens to [us] at the hands of men, happens for [our] profit and to the glory of God…Those who are not with Jesus are in a fierce tempest of a storm. They are cut off from Him or at least seem to be absent from Him because they have departed from His holy laws. Because of their sin they are separated from the one who is able to save. If then it is overwhelming to be in such spiritual darkness, if it is oppressive to be swamped by the bitter sea of pleasures, let us then receive Jesus. For this is what will deliver us from dangers and from death in sin.” (Dynamis 4/4/2022, St. Cyril of Alexandria)
“As a modern man (inescapably), I have most often found God at the borders and edge of my existence. Overwhelmed by the fragmentation of my own mind, I begin to know God in my not-knowing. It is to take my reason to the boundaries of its ability and allow myself to see just beyond that. It is also to step back and refuse to see all things as fragments. To see all things in relation is also to cease to be an observer (in some manner). For if all things are in relation, then I am in relation as well, not as observer but as participant. To see myself as participant is itself a small form of ascesis, or spiritual training. It is a requirement of love – for love has no objects, only participants.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“We are all familiar with the image of the “three-legged race” we’ve all done at picnics and school fun days. When you tie your leg to someone else’s leg, if you actually move in sync with the other person, it makes walking easier. When you can’t get in sync, it makes walking a nightmare. A life where we walk with Jesus, where we “put our arm around Him” and allow Him to do the same for us, leads to feelings of support and togetherness, rather than feelings of being overwhelmed because we feel isolated and lonely, like we are the only one carrying the burden. I know I will face some challenges today. You will as well. One of the greatest challenges is not only what the right thing to do is, but just how to get to all the things that need getting to. Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t allow us to be at our best. So, when you feel overwhelmed, stop, say a prayer, yoke your heart to the heart of Christ. Think like a servant. Offer your best. Ask Christ to help you have wisdom and clear thinking. Ask Him to help you be efficient and free of distraction. Walk in step with Him.” (Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis)
“Christ urges us to remain encouraged, even in the midst of trials and afflictions that seem overwhelming and impossible.” (Dynamis 4/15/2013)
“There is a phenomenon that the more successful one becomes the less successful one actually feels. Big people feel small inside. Often they feel overwhelmed by their own importance . Perhaps, they feel like David the Shepherd Boy who tackled the scary giant, Goliath. They are afraid that the giant will never really fall, so they are forced to face him time and time again. David, in his lifetime, discovered what Zacchaeus seemed to know intuitively. That it is really the power of God that slays the giant.” (Fr. Peter Chamberas)
“We all get caught up in the daily details of life, and it can hinder our seeing the bigger plan God has for us. Our immediate problems overwhelm us and seem to obliterate God’s promises. God, on the other hand, sees the bigger picture and wants us to focus in on what he is accomplishing in our lives. God’s lessons are surrounding us daily, if only we are willing to set aside our busyness and open our “eyes to see and ears to hear.” (Betty Southard)
"I can tend to over think things, creating barriers and complications to communion with God. But He is not complicated. When I feel overwhelmed, and life gets overcomplicated in my own head, let me hand it all over to Him, because in Him things are simple."(Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)
“Focusing on difficulties intensifies and enlarges the problem. When we focus our attention on God, the problem is put into its proper perspective and it no longer overwhelms us.” (Charles Stanley)
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