How do I cope when life’s difficulties become overwhelming?

Psalm 145:14The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

2 Corinthians 1:3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

These verses tell us two important truths: (1) God notices when you are overloaded and overwhelmed, and (2) he provides an extra measure of mercy, comfort, and help to those who need it most. When you are overwhelmed, don’t shut God out; let him help you.

Isaiah 43:2When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

When you are faced with great adversity, you probably ask, “Where is God when I need him most?” The answer is always the same: He is right beside you. God is there with the power to help you cope. In this life, God doesn’t promise to save you from trouble. In fact, this verse says “when you go through deep waters,” assuming that adversity will come your way because it’s the natural consequence of living in a fallen world. God will not act like a genie in a bottle, granting your every wish, because then you would follow him for the wrong reasons and your character would never grow. Instead, God promises to be with you in your troubles, to give you wisdom to cope, strength to conquer your problems, and understanding to see how you will become stronger as you learn to deal with and overcome adversity.

Psalm 55:2Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Psalm 69:16Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.

When you are overwhelmed, develop the habit of going directly to God in prayer. Don’t make prayer a last resort. In God you will find One who will listen and defend you against the attacks of the Enemy.

Psalm 55:22Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 62:8O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

When you are overwhelmed with problems and the worry that comes along with them, you must not let discouragement become so strong that you no longer think God can help you. Don’t ever quit believing that God cares about you and will help you through your problems. If you give up on God, you will cut off your greatest source of help.

Psalm 42:5-6Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Psalm 71:14I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.

The act of praising God in the midst of adversity helps you cope because it keeps you focused on what you need most: hope and confidence in the God who has promised an end to all adversity and a future where only joy and peace will reign forever.

Psalm 30:11-12You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 126:5-6Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Lamentations 3:32-33Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

Those who face deep troubles are the ones who will most appreciate and savor the good times when they return. And they will return, if not in this life than for the rest of your life in heaven. With God, the bitter seeds of tears, grief, and mourning will yield a harvest of joy and blessing.