Pastor's Corner: Focus in an overwhelming world

Shaken by loss, frightened by illness, worried about family and finances, and pulled by a million demands on our time, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Add on social media’s tsunami of information about others’ real-life dramas, alerts to potential future dangers and millions of invented “crises,” and facing life can feel impossible.

As pastors, we frequently counsel people to stay off social media (and turn off the news) to avoid added stress. Our own lives already have enough drama. But the truth is, focusing on our own problems instead of trying to fix the world or the people around us might lighten the load, but it still will leave us overwhelmed. There is too much we cannot fix about the past and the present, and too many unknowns about the future.

So, what should we focus on? Isaiah 26:3 says that if we trust God and keep our minds focused on Him, He will keep us in a state of perfect peace. Jesus himself said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28. We need to come to Jesus and leave the overwhelming demands of our lives with Him, instead of lying awake making to-do lists.

Remember when Peter bravely stepped out of the boat and walked on the water just like Jesus! (Read the full story in Matthew 14:25-33.) He did the impossible … until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves. Then he started to sink. If you are looking at the storm of problems around you, you will sink under the weight and hopelessness of it all, but if you will look at Jesus, you can do the impossible! And if you have already lost your focus on Jesus and are going under, do what Peter did. Cry out to Jesus to save you!

A favorite old hymn says …

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dime

in the light of His glory and grace!

When life is overwhelming you, look to Jesus. Let Him give you peace and rest. Let Him give you power to do the impossible. If you will just keep looking to Him, not only will He save you in the midst of your circumstances, but He will transform you into a reflection of His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).