Overwhelmed!  We have all been there.  When there is too much month left and not enough money, or there is too much stuff left to be done and not enough hours to do it in, or there are just too many kids to just one you, ok that last one is a bit of a joke, but there is an element of truth as well.

One of the hardest thing about being a single parent, is that everything usually falls to you.  When all 3 kids are screaming for help with their homework as you try to get dinner ready, there is no option to say..”go ask your father.”  When the car breaks down or the toilet is plugged, the lawn mower breaks, or you have 2 kids that have to go in different directions and there is only you, it can be really, really, overwhelming.

Honestly, this is just how I have felt lately.  There has been a lot going on in my life and to be honest, I have felt a bit overwhelmed.  Between,  physical problems one of my kids is going through that require x-rays and frequent chiropractor. appts, spring cleaning that needs to be done, yard work that is looming, working, car trouble and managing to pay bills, cook dinner, clean and buy groceries, some days, I just don’t know where to turn first.

When those days, come, at times, I start to get angry, I start to feel resentful. I yell at God, “this isn’t fair!  Why do I have all these responsibilities,  why is all of this on me.  This was supposed to be a job for 2 people and I am stuck trying to do it all on my own! Don’t you care God that I am tired, and frustrated?  Don’t you care that I am overwhelmed?”

I know, sounds like a whiny temper tantrum doesn’t it? and you’re right, it is. But sometimes, we just get to the end of our rope and  all that frustration comes out!  So what do we do at that point, what do we do when we are overwhelmed to the point of frustration?

Well I think that answer is different for everyone, and you need to find what works for you but there are some things that I think help all of us.

Spend time each morning with God. 

Ok, right now you are thinking…I already don’t have enough time in my day and you want me to take some of it to sit alone with God. YES! The truth is, taking even 10 minutes in the morning to come before the Lord, will actually help you to get more done in a day than if you didn’t. Choosing to set our focus on the One person who can actually help us through our day no matter what is the best way to help us when we feel overwhelmed.

Ask for Help

This one is particularly hard for me.  I am not a fan of having to ask anyone for help. If I want or need something done, I like to do it myself.  But the truth is that parenting and running a household was meant to be a 2 person job and at times, you are going to need help.  So don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or your church family.

Prioritize 

Sometimes when there is a lot of things going on in your life at, it causes you to feel like everything needs to be done at once.  Rarely is that actually the case.  So prioritize.  Honestly, if something has to get left undone, it is probably not the end of the world.  Find the thing you need to do next and do it. Then go onto the next thing.  Take one thing at a time.  Don’t beat yourself up about what you aren’t able to get done. If the sun is shining and your kids want you to be outside with them, let that laundry sit another day and take the time to spend with your kids.  There will always be laundry.

Cry Out To God

No matter what, there are always going to come those days when we are just overwhelmed.  When we just want to run away or go to bed and pull the covers over our head and hide.  In those moments, cry out to God!  He is your father, He loves you, and He understands.  Get it all out, tell him how you feel and then rest in Him.  Often I will go up to my room and put on some worship music and just sit for a minute listening, reminding myself of who God is and allowing myself to be encouraged by the words.  The most important thing when we are overwhelmed is not to let ourselves get into a pit of despair.  Prayer, praise, and meditating on God’s word are sure-fire ways to avoid that.

The most important thing to remember when those overwhelmed days come is: God does care, He does understand, He does see you, He knows that you are struggling and He is ready, willing, and able to help! He will not let you fall! You are never alone!

Isaiah 41:10  
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 

.