Overwhelmed, or Overshadowed

 “There are times in our lives when a death, a tragedy, or a sudden turn of events eclipses everything else.  It happened to an unmarried young woman who was told that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God’s Son (Luke 1:26-33)…The impossibility in Mary’s life was overshadowed not by darkness but by the brightness of God’s glory and power.  Her response continues to leave us in awe:  Let it be to me according to your word..v. 38.  Overshadowed…it speaks so powerfully of the Lord’s presence in our hearts and His ability to outshine the darkest moments.”  (excerpt from Our Daily Bread, November 22, 2013)

And here I was, thinking I was overwhelmed --and I have been recently.  But after reading this devotional and seeing the emphasis on ‘overshadowed’, I was flooded with gratitude.  Not for being overwhelmed.  That feeling is my own doing, a reaction to everything going on in my life lately.  But grateful to know that while I am feeling overwhelmed, I have also been overshadowed.  My great and gracious Father has overshadowed me with His love, His forgiveness, His help, His presence.  He also used people He has in my life right now to get my attention and remind me there is a better way than all that being overwhelmed can bring out in me. 

 
However deep the new low can go, he has shown me that His love is deeper. 

Overshadowed.  Isn’t it amazing the impact of one little word?  Rather than give in to being overwhelmed, I determine to remember that I am overshadowed.  And hopefully my “record low” will never be broken again.  If it was up to me, I’d be “overwhelmed” with even the thought of that possibility. I know my weaknesses, my tendencies.   But, because of Him…well, it’s definitely possible.  So I start today working towards that goal once again, of not allowing the circumstances of life, the overwhelmed feelings, to control me.  I will not focus on whether or not I will fail again, but on Jesus. 

 

For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37