10 bible verses for when you feel overwhelmed

Control. It’s something we hold onto and even get comfort from, but really don’t ever completely have. The times when I feel like things are in my control are when things go completely out of whack – I get sick, my hubby and I go through challenges or bump heads, problems come up in friendships, my little guy goes through a new phase. And I’m reminded that no matter how much I try to make sure things are just the way I want them, I don’t ever really have control over so many elements.

This past week, it seemed like all of these elements came together at once! Fortunately, there is a God who works behind the scenes for our best interests (Romans 8:28). So even when things appear to be going out of control, we know the author of life, and can trust that he will take care of us.

But it does take faith to move forward when you feel overwhelmed. I know I just want to curl up in bed and wait for the storms to pass. (Sometimes literally! So much rain this week!) But the Bible promises again and again that God is with us, that he won’t forsake us, that he will lead us even when we can’t see the outcome. Here are some verses for when you feel overwhelmed, to help you stay focused and strong even when nothing seems to be going right:

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22, NIV

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:10, NIV

“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” – 2 Samuel 22:29-31, NIV

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22, NIV

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16, NIV

“…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20, NIV

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:26-27, NIV

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” – Psalm 118:5-6, NIV

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, NIV