Overwhelmed hardly began to describe how I felt. I knew God placed this dream in my heart, but I had no idea where to start. There were so many questions! I needed help. ….Have you ever noticed how God loves to stretch His children? It may not be fun, but it is fruitful. Author Lysa TerKeurst describes a time she felt overwhelmed, even at a loss in her writing abilities: “I had a choice at this point: give up or push through. I wasn’t a great writer at this point but I had a great assignment. I needed to get my writing up to the point where it can meet this great assignment.” – Lysa TerKeurst.
If your Great Assignment feels overwhelming, you are exactly where you need to be. Acknowledging we are ill-equipped places us on the direct path for receiving God’s equipping.
Things to remember along your journey:
1. Believe in your Great Assignment
2. Keep your blade sharp
3. Be a noticer
4. Hold on tight!
1. Believe in Your Great Assignment
We all have a great assignment. Believe this! It may be in a public career or at home raising kids. It may be in corporate America or caring for elderly parents. It could be an unusual assignment for a short season, or the long-haul of everyday, ordinary life. Whatever your great assignment looks like, it will be different for each of us. It may feel overwhelming because of the unknown, or it may feel overwhelming due to the mundane. But rest assured, God equips us each for our great assignments, no matter the tasks required.
Feeling overwhelmed landed me squarely in the middle of God’s plan. If it can be achieved without turning to God for help, what glory does He receive? I must depend on Him. And there’s no better place to do exactly that, than where I am ill-equipped and overwhelmed.
2. Keep Your Blade Sharp
“Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10.
Too often we try riding on past spiritual highs, neglecting the need for daily renewal. But God is a living God, with whom we have a living relationship. He is interested in growing us, not leaving us where we are, as we are. Just as a garden untended will die, and water unstirred will stagnate, so relationships ignored will suffer. Relationships are not one-way. Neglecting our personal relationship with God results in our own stagnant spirituality. By keeping our blade sharp through staying in God’s Word and in communication with Him, we cultivate that relationship.
3. Be a Noticer
“Great writers are great notices of life.” – Lysa Terkeurst.
“Watch to see where God is working and join Him in His work.” -Henry Blackaby.
These two quotes are game-changers. Notice what God is doing and join Him. To take that initial step, you must first be a noticer. Notice where and how God is working all around you. Record what you notice. A tangible record reminds us He is always busily working, especially when we feel we are in a rut, or that we aren’t measuring up, or that we don’t have what it takes. Or even when we feel ordinary and left behind by life. God invites you to join Him in His work here on earth. Take notice where He is working, then take that first step.
4. Hold On Tight!
God has placed you in the midst of your life on purpose, for a purpose. Whether you’re in a season of busyness, rest, or waiting, He is equipping you to fulfill your great assignment. Notice what He is teaching you. If it’s removing something from your life, surrender to His pruning. If it’s continuing in your current season, persevere in obedience. If it’s beginning a new role, follow His lead, step by step. He grows His children throughout this journey. It is as much about the process as the end result. It is as much about the journey as the destination. When our destination is to show the world God’s glory and goodness, we gain immeasurable blessings along the way. Watch Him work and get ready to participate with anticipation!
Your Turn
What dream has God placed in your heart? Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to achieve it?
-Ask God right now for clarity in knowing His great assignment for you.
-Believe He will equip you for the tasks He has for you.
-Ask Him for courage to take the next step, then hold on tight for an amazing adventure!
Until next time,
