I had a therapist once who asked me what overwhelming felt like to me. I went with my knee jerk, silly response, and said something like “well, Doc, overwhelming feels overwhelming to me.”
It’s uncomfortable sometimes to really dig down to what our true feelings are, but on that particular morning it finally dawned on me that overwhelming to me felt like being at the deep end of the pool and and being pushed in. And once in the pool, flailing about because for some reason there are waves in the pool, and it’s hard to swim out!
It was such a profound moment, it took my breath away.
She pressed further, and as I opened up, it occurred to me that I was allowing others to pull me in too many different directions, and I wasn’t establishing boundaries. In an effort to be a good person, and to help others, I’d filled my plate too full. The result was feeling near enough to the deep end to fall in.
Philippians 4:13 has always been one of my favorite verses. It reads: I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. (CSB)
I know it sounds crazy, but I’d interpreted that verse to mean I could keep all the balls in the air to do ALL things because God would give me the strength. Well, I began to learn that morning, that for me the “things” God gives me strength to do is be true to myself, and true to His will for me.
I began to realize who I was, and what I was capable of doing. God also put people in my life that helped me understand boundaries, and that saying “no” was okay. And you know what? My life began to change.
I’d love to say I never again got near the deep end of the pool, but I’d be lying. However, at least now I realize when I’ve wandered too close to the edge of the pool, and God gives me the strength to walk away. He’ll do the same for you.
See you next time….
