Hello Sparrow’s Song Family, 

I know that I have been missing for some time. I’ve missed you and have been praying for each of you. 

I’m sorry for my absence. The truth is, I recently received bad news. A crushing weight that seemed only to get heavier as it consumed my thinking. I was overwhelmed in every sense of the word. 

Overwhelmed: 

ˌōvərˈ(h)welm/

Verb

• bury or drown beneath a huge mass. 
• defeat completely. 

I felt the crushing weight of this news, a weight that made me feel completely defeated. It was just too much! Too much to carry. Too much to bear. 

But that’s what I tried to do—carry this heavy burden day after day.  

That’s when I remembered to cry out to God! 

David wrote in Psalm 61:1-3 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth, I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.

King David had many troubled times in his life; We don’t specifically know what was going on on this occasion. But we do know that in times of trouble, David knew where to run.  

David starts his prayer by asking God to hear and attend to his prayer. We know that God indeed hears us, but David was crying out in desperation. It wasn’t that he doubted God’s willingness to hear or attend, instead it was just as we sometimes ask, “do you hear me?” when we know we are being heard. David knew fully that he was heard when He prayed. 

In times of trouble, you need to know Who to turn to. When your heart is overwhelmed, when life’s circumstances push you to the edge, run to the Lord! He is able to lift you high above the fray to a place where you are surrounded by His protective presence.  

I know that I am not the only one who is facing or who has faced hard times and difficult moments. But in those moments, where does your heart lead you? Do you attempt to retreat to alcohol, drugs, overeating, oversleeping, or mind-numbing activities that make you forget the pain? Or are you led to the One who is a shelter and fortress for you, a safe place even when the storm continues to rage?  

Don’t try to carry your troubles, distresses, and burden alone. When your heart feels overwhelmed, run to Jesus. He is strong enough to handle whatever is troubling you.  

Ponder these questions in your journal or think about them during your bible study time as you consider Psalm 61:1-3.

• What situations or circumstances have overwhelmed your heart? 
• Where are you led when you feel overwhelmed? Where do you attempt to find refuge? 
• What practices can you put in place to ensure that you run to Jesus in times of trouble?  

Your friend in the journey,

Erica

REMEMBER: The Word W.O.R.K.S. Walking in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success

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