25 Bible Verses When You Feel Overwhelmed
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Feeling stressed & frazzled? Yearning for more peace in a hectic world? Check out these 25 Bible verses when you feel overwhelmed.
When we are overwhelmed with the demands of life, we can rest assured that God is not. There is no load that we can carry that is too heavy for Him. And we can’t face a struggle that is too unimportant to Him.
It’s so tempting to just power through when we feel overwhelmed. The enemy loves to use our overwhelm to convince us that we’re doing something wrong, we’re on the wrong path, we’re not enough, we’re a failure and so many other things that leave us frazzled and stuck beating ourselves up.
What if, instead, we used our overwhelm as a signpost, pointing us back to Jesus?
What if, when your cup feels empty, you were to stop and come before the Lord, allowing Him to pour into you before you try to go back out and continue pouring into others?
If you’re needing some encouragement in an overwhelming season of life, or simply need some strength for the day ahead, I pray that these Bible verses will meet you where you are.
All Bible verses below are from the New International Version (NIV).
Scripture When You Feel Overwhelmed
1. Matthew 6:34 – Don’t Worry About Tomorrow Because Today’s Worries Are Enough
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
What’s worse than being overwhelmed by today’s problems? Add the worries of tomorrow on top of that.
The Lord knows that we are prone to worry. He reminds us that we carry a heavier burden when we worry about tomorrow because today’s worries are enough.
Take it one day at a time.
2. Isaiah 40:31 – The Lord Renews The Strength Of Those Who Hope In Him
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
The Lord we serve is strong. And He strengthens those who put their trust in Him.
If you are feeling weak and weary, He is offering to renew your strength today. You simply have to turn to Him and ask Him to grant you the strength for the day ahead.
That can look different every season and every day. You could turn to Him in worship, with prayer journaling, in silence and stillness, in confession, by taking your thoughts captive or reminding yourself of your identity in Christ.
3. Jeremiah 17:7-8 – The One Who Trusts In The Lord Will Be Blessed
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Scripture often paints pictures that connect humans to trees. A tree finds its life through its roots. When a tree has deeply planted roots and is close to the water that nurtures it, the branches, leaves, and fruit begin to grow.
When we trust in the Lord, we become like firmly planted trees alongside the stream. No matter sunshine or rain, we stand firm because the Lord is our source. We are rooted in Him.
4. Psalm 142:3 – He Watches Over You When You Are At Your Lowest
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.
Psalm 142:3
The Lord knows that we become weary and our spirit feels discouraged at times. What a blessing to have a Heavenly Father who cares so intimately for our hearts.
He looks over us and cares for the weary. If you feel as though your spirit is growing faint day by day, find some time to hide in Him throughout the day.
Need more encouragement? I wrote a letter just for you. Dear Discouraged One, Don’t Give Up
5. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Submit Everything You Do To Him And He Will Lead The Way
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
It can be easy to feel as though we have it all figured out, but the truth is that we don’t.
Starting your day by acknowledging that you need His guidance and hand in your plans is a way for you to trust in Him and seek His thoughts that are greater than our own.
I like to pray the prayer, “Lord, how can I best use my time, energy, strengths, and weaknesses to honor You today?”
And then take the time to listen for His voice!
6. Psalm 94:19 – The Lord Comforts The Anxious In Heart
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19
The Lord brings comfort to those who are overcome by the worries of the world and their circumstances. We can find joy in the midst of our mess when we focus on Him rather than our troubles.
Struggling with doubt, worry, and fear? Check out these encouraging Bible verses on doubt.
7. Matthew 11:28-30 – Turn To Jesus To Find Rest From Your Heavy Burden
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus invites the one who is carrying a heavy burden and is pressed by the pressures of life. He not only offers them rest, but He exchanges their burden for His yoke. He calls them to learn from Him and to walk with Him.
In a world promising fulfillment and rest in a thousand different places that only offer a bandaid fix for your exhaustion, turn to the Lord first.
In Him, there is true rest for your soul.
8. Psalm 9:10 – The Lord Never Forsakes Those Who Seek Him
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10
Do you know the name of the Lord? Do you know who you are calling upon when you turn to prayer? To know the name of the Lord is to know His character.
- El Shaddai – Lord God Almighty.
- Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide.
- Jehovah Rapha – The Lord That Heals.
- Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace.
- Jehovah Mekoddishkem – The Lord Who Sanctifies You.
When we know the Lord, truly know Him, we can trust Him because of who He is.
These names of God (and many more!) are available in printed form in the prayer journaling bundle.
9. Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord Goes Before You
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
When others leave or disappoint, He never does. This is a promise that we can grasp with both hands. When life feels daunting and you are overcome by your responsibilities or the unknown, He promises to be with you.
Because He is with you, you don’t have to be afraid or discouraged.
10. Philippians 4:8 – Set Your Mind On Things That Honor God
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Our minds can easily get into an unhealthy cycle of thinking when we are feeling overwhelmed. We haven’t yet finished one task before we are pestered by thoughts of the next thing we have to do.
We can feel beaten down and defeated simply by thinking about all the things that are stressing us out.
Instead, the Bible calls us to change what we fix our minds on. Though our circumstances may feel overwhelming, our thoughts don’t have to be.
Here’s a prayer for stress I like to use during those times to fix my eyes on Him.
11. Psalm 121:1-2 – The Lord Is Our Great Helper
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
When you feel overwhelmed, sometimes it can feel like you are drowning, at the mercy of your situation.
It’s an intentional choice to lift your eyes up to the mountains and look for help from God, your Maker.
12. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – His Grace Is Sufficient In Your Weakness
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
It feels so uncomfortable to be weak. It feels so much better when we feel in control, like we can do it all on our own.
But that’s just not how you were designed.
You were designed to need a Savior.
Instead of fighting against your weaknesses or chastising yourself for not being strong enough or perfect enough (or just enough in general), offer yourself as a living sacrifice.
Ask for help and allow Christ’s power to work through your weakness.
13. 1 Peter 5:7 – Bring Your Burdens To Him Because He Cares For You
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Often overwhelm brings worry, stress, and anxiety along with it.
Choose to lift your anxiety up to Jesus.
It takes a step of trust and faith on your part. He cares for you and He is big enough to handle it.
14. Philippians 4:6-7 – Pray When You Feel Overwhelmed And Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
When you feel overwhelmed, your thoughts often bounce around to every worry and worst case scenario, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Choose to pray, ask, and thank God in whatever your situation may be.
We often think finding the right answer is what will bring us peace, but this Bible verse tells us differently.
Guarding your mind, praying, asking for help, and expressing gratitude is how to find peace in your overwhelm (and, often, when we feel more at peace, we get clarity on our situation!).
15. Psalm 94:22 – The Lord Is Your Security And Safety In Uncertainty
But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
Psalm 94:22
Instead of looking for safety in predictability and control (I’m surely guilty of that), look to God, your rock, to be your fortress.
16. Matthew 6:25-27 – He Who Cares For The Birds Of The Air Cares For You
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-27
It’s so easy to get so caught up in the overwhelm and decision fatigue of 1,000 little things every day.
I’m a mom of young kids, so I’m constantly deciding, “What’s for lunch? Now, what’s for snack? Will these clothes be warm enough? Do I need to call the doctor for that?”
It’s exhausting, isn’t it?
Of course, all of those decisions still need to be made and they are all important, but worry doesn’t need to be a part of them.
You have a heavenly Father who cares about every detail of your day and He is your Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides.
He will provide you with answers, support, guidance, and everything you need.
17. Psalm 46:10 – Take A Moment To Be Quiet And Remember Who He is
He 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
When you are caught up in overwhelm, it can feel almost impossible to settle down.
Your mind is racing, your heart is pumping, and you’re on high alert.
Taking a moment to take a deep breath and just be still in the Lord’s presence is one of the best antidotes for overwhelm.
18. Psalm 91:1-2 – Those Who Live In His Presence Will Find Rest
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2
When you’re on the rollercoaster of overwhelm, you’re usually pretty desperate to find a way off of that crazy ride.
Choosing to dwell in the shelter of the Most High might look like:
- saying a breath prayer
- reading a Bible verse
- journaling for a few minutes
- humming a worship song
Seeking God in your overwhelm will bring you the rest you crave.
19. Ephesians 6:10-12 – Be Prepared For The Daily Spiritual Battle
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Overwhelm feels like a situation created by the situation around us on the outside, but really?
Overwhelm can be a form of spiritual attack.
The enemy loves to distract you and keep you stuck from living a purposeful life for the Lord.
You have all of the weapons you need to fight against him in the armor of God.
20. Jeremiah 31:25 – The Lord Will Refresh Those Who Are Weary
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Jeremiah 31:25
Feeling weary? Wanting to give up?
Then it’s the perfect time to go back to your Life Source for some refreshment and satisfaction.
21. Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:1-3
I hope you arre seeing the pattern here.
Spending time with God – in prayer, meditation, stillness, worship…these are the things that will offer you the peace you crave.
22. Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24
“Lead me in the way everlasting.”
That is a beautiful prayer to ask God for wisdom and guidance.
23. 2 Samuel 22:2-2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent people you save me.2 Samuel 22:2-3
When everything around you feels like shifting sand, unpredictably changing alll the time, plant your feet upon the rock – the Lord.
24. Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.Psalm 23:1-3
You are not alone.
You have a shepherd, watching out for you, caring for you, tenderly and gently guiding you beside quiet waters.
25. James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
Often times, we feel the full weight of the responsibility to make the right decision (when sometimes I don’t even believe there is only one right decision!).
But we serve a God who loves to guide our steps.
We just need to ask Him and listen for His response.
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