“When My Heart Is Overwhelmed”

 “When My Heart Is Overwhelmed” 

Psalms 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Dear Friend: Haven’t we all been tired or run down by life, and haven't you had times when it seems like the entire world is against you. In those moments, it is all we can do just to function in a half-way normal manner throughout the day.  When this happens to me, (and it does) I like to go to the Word of God for help. In Psalm 61 David seems to be in this very same place. verse 2 says, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Let me share just a few thoughts and allow God to soothe your troubled heart if you will.

David frequently found himself in situations where he just knew the entire world was against him. He was taken from his father’s flocks and assigned to be a bodyguard and musician for King Saul. He was often sent out into battle and eventually he was hunted down by the king himself. Even after Saul spared his life and he ascended to the throne of Israel, David was burdened by warring nations and his own sinful desires. Troubles seem to follow him, and they were never ending.

No matter the cause or reasons, we can all relate to David at times. It may seem like everything is against you: you got COVID, a cancer diagnosis, a lost job, or the loss of a loved one, a fall to temptation, or some other calamity. And it seems like they all happen at once – just when you think you can stay steady under a new attack, another weight is dropped on your shoulders.

And yet David never lost sight of the One Who could deliver him from any trouble: the Lord. The cry of David’s heart can be an example for us in times of weariness and sadness. The first verse of this psalm is a broken cry to God asking Him to hear his prayers, David asks God to lead him to safety in the midst of  unending tragedy. David claims God as his refuge and strength against his foes and asks God to open His gates to let him dwell there in safety. That same God is here for us today. Call unto Him Who loves you so much.

We may not know the event that caused David to write this psalm, but it is clear that the appropriate response to heartbreak and emotional exhaustion is to turn to God for help and restoration. We can come to Him with our brokenness and trust that He will renew and restore us with strength and peace we cannot fathom.

Is Your Heart Overwhelmed? The sadness described in Psalm 61 is not an everyday sadness. The level of exhaustion and resignation is not the normal tiredness we feel at the end of the day. It is a profound, soul-rending sense of loss and fear. Is this where you are? Do you know of someone that is in this condition? The deep struggles others may go through should never be compared to your pain. Each one of us grieve and sorrow in our own way.

That being said, we can be worn down by the world. Jesus Himself promised us that even our loved ones could turn on us, and practically guaranteed that we would have trouble in this life. Our world is fallen and against anything godly. The evil that abounds in our world today can be very depressing.  On days when it seems that the whole world is against you, a sense of loneliness can be pretty overwhelming. 

What Can We Do? First of all, when you reach the lowest point, know that overwhelming issues are God’s business. He wants to hear the deepest cries of your heart at all times, and if your heart is only capable of producing tears, God will take that honesty. (Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Next, we must always remember that God not only wants to hear our cries, but He also wants to heal our cries. He wants to soothe our broken and tired hearts with His healing presence and replace them with more of Himself. When God is invited into your hurt then you can experience a peace that passes all understanding. We will never fully understand the mind of God in this life, but our faith in Him can sustain us through the dark times.

The next time your heart seems overwhelmed, try turning to God. The Word of God will not return void. God will use even our small faith to work miracles in our hearts. Try reading through this entire psalm or another familiar passage and use those words to pour out your overwhelmed heart to the God Who is never overwhelmed.

I pray these thoughts will be a blessing to someone today. 

In the name of the Lord,

Linda Milam

 

 

 DID YOU KNOW!

On April 20th, 1718, David Brainerd was born to devout Christian parents in Haddam, Connecticut

David Brainerd was a missionary for four years until the day of his death in 1747. He was sick with tuberculosis for the last eight years of his life and struggled with loneliness, depression, loving the Indians, finding beauty in nature, and staying true to his calling as a missionary instead of reverting back to being a pastor of a church throughout different seasons.

Nothing could stop him from obeying the call that God had placed on his heart. While he was only a missionary for four years, the impact he made was of eternal value. Because of his prayers and persistence in seeking after God’s will in difficult seasons, God has used his story to encourage others in their ministry, such as William Carey, Jim Elliot, and Adoniram Judson, as well as those who deal with the same struggles as he did. They often looked at Brainerd’s life in the woods of America as a living example, pointing out that he poured out his very soul before God for the perishing heathen who could not be satisfied without the saving grace of the Lord’s salvation.

 DID YOU KNOW!

Adoniram (1788-1850) and Ann (1789-1826) Judson

At the age of 25, Adoniram Judson was the first American missionary to Burma. He and Ann married two weeks before they boarded a ship bound for India, from which they eventually were able to make their way to Burma. Judson would spend the next nearly forty years of his life living among and witnessing to the Burmese people. Until her death, Ann was the friend of many and even more fluent in the Burmese language than her academically inclined husband. Judson’s efforts were slow-going. He was imprisoned and tortured, but he never gave up on his God-given calling to reach Burma for Christ. Before his death, Adoniram Judson had not only established several churches in Burma, but he had also given Burma one of the greatest gifts: the Bible in their own language.

"We all need a Tree!”

A Beautiful Rose from our
Yard and Home in WV

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

(I didn't create this story, but loved it when I read it and wanted to share)

God has a way that is much better than ours! I’m going to do this! I will be happier if I limit my bad day to the day, and not bring it in my home to my husband at night. Yes, even in the ministry, days can be hard! BUT GOD! Give Him your cares and worries. His shoulders are much broader than ours. Enjoy every moment with your families. LKMilam

“I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit, and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. ‘Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So, I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.' 'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well (have joy). We all need a Tree!”

"Make Haste" ~ Dr. Tom Milam

Fort Pierce, FL

Originally published in

Dr. Milam's book,

"Beside Still Waters"

 

“Make Haste!”

5-14-08 at Gallipolis, Ohio 

Is he never coming, cannot he see my trials? Why are his chariots so late? But God is making haste; delays are not denials. 

I have waited patiently, no thread of hope appears; will light break through, while life ebbs low? But God is making haste for you, despite the dimming woe. He’s on the wings of every hour, and charts your very years. 

Lazarus lays dying; his life is almost gone; why must time be so perfected? But God makes haste, yet not detected; the arrangement of time, though in a dark tomb; He’ll not be left alone. 

Our water is scarce- our provisions are failing, the enemy is proud and secure; why must we wait in fear? God is coming with haste, to make the victory clear: the tick of the clock will find its mark; the captain of hosts makes sure. 

More often, our patience, full gives out; God is never coming! But God haste’s to cease the numbing. To intervene too late, or entreat too soon, would only leave more doubt. 

Not one moment overdue, will the Lord come in; Come quicker Lord, I’m bending low, this load I cannot carry. I’m coming child, I’m on my way; I promise, I’ll not tarry!  I’ll haste I say, I’m on my way- I’ll be on time my friend.

“Lo, I come quickly!”  Is still true, though many years have passed; why not now accelerate? My hasting now would make many too late! I’m right on time, worry not; I’ll hold you oh, so fast.

 Your enemies boast themselves; our spirits faint for fear; men are sinking into perdition. Your hasting would change their condition. God’s time is right, he leads the fight; deliverance is very near. 

Eternal God made time for man, and therefore he controls it; But the fourth watch is breaking Lord! Still, God makes haste to get all aboard. As light quickly leaps from world to world, he’s on his way to make you fit. 

God makes haste, but not to waste; not too soon for education; he is never late; he’s near all the while; bending over, inclining his ear, is his style. Tender pity makes him haste-infallible wisdom makes him wait-all meant for our dedication. 

He is never late in intervention, all will change in a fleeting moment; but my soul is flying; I may only have an hour! Faster! Faster! Faster!  Come to me, show your healing power. Gods haste determines, but never demands; his rightness declares the best instant. 

-END-

“The Gift” ~ Dr. Tom Milam

This poem is published in Dr Milam's Volume 2 of his 4 Volume set of Poetry

“The Gift”

                                                 
It’s amazing what a gift will do;

A gift will cheer you when you’re blue.

A gift can say, “I love you so,”

Or, “Oh, I dread to see you go!”

A gift says, “ Glad to see you again!”

“It’s so good to see you, “ or” where have you been!” 

A gift can soothe ones’ aching pain;

And bring brightness after a gloomy rain.

A gift, like a rainbow, reminds us still;

That it’s the giver that wants a void to fill.

The gift-—there’s hardly a doubt about it

It would be so sad to live without it. 

A gift sure does excite and lifts our hearts to

Unspeakable heights.

A gift brings warmth—wide eyes and charms,

And we’re delightfully surprised as we reach out our arms.

A gift is good for fathers and mothers;

Also brings joy to sisters and brothers. 

 A gift can even bring better relations;

Because a gift is what you are to your congregations.

Gifts we love and gifts we crave;

Will we give ourselves, that a soul would be saved?

 

 A gift has no certain language;

And many times a life it will salvage.

  

Try not to make an issue of the cost of it all;

Because when it’s given from the heart, your account can’t fall

In heaven you’re laying up treasure.

You see, a servant’s reward is that above measure. 

One more reminder to give your flesh a rift;

And at the same time, give your spirit a lift!  

You’re given to others—so that makes you a gift. 

  Evangelist Tom Milam  

 

Tom & Linda Milam 

Missionaries to America

Phil. 2:16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Raising The Standard - Dr. Terry L. Booher

Raising The Standard - finished and ready to mail to you a book from a sermon preached by the late Dr. Terry L. Booher, who was the Pastor and founder of Faith Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL for over 40 years.  The following is a portion of this book.

Isaiah 59:19, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun,  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”

"It’s time we raise the banner up. And quit this pacifism ideology and quit being so casual. I’m not a rebel rouser, and I don’t want to be a war monger. But too many of us have just set back and said, “Well, I probably shouldn’t say anything about that.” Well, maybe we should say something about it. Maybe we ought to just stand up and say, “Look, No! Absolutely, positively, No! You are not going to do that in this church, not in this family, not in this home, not with my kids, not with my life. NO! You’re not going to do it.”

And so Isaiah said, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”  Let’s raise that standard high for the Lord.  Keep that standard high so the enemy cannot wreck havoc in our lives, our homes, our families and our churches."

 

Raising the standard.  In our Christian lives, homes, workplace, and in our country.  How sad to see how far God is going to allow the people of our great nation to go in their depravity and rebellion against Him - but be assured - He is coming back and His hand will stay the world.  Let us be about His business as we strive to raise the standard as He would have us to do.

  

God is good all the time, and everywhere! 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America

Phil. 2:16