When You Feel Like You're Sinking: A Word for the Overwhelmed

Feeling stuck?
Feeling like you're starting to drown in all the things?

This word is for you today.

I love the visual of a fresh canvas, a blank journal, or a new week filled with endless possibilities. I try to start each Monday with that “fresh start” feeling… but what happens when week after week, I’m still carrying the burdens of yesterday?

When will it get better?
When will I feel better?
What do I do with the heaviness that even an iced coffee can’t fix?

So I opened my Bible—and brought it to Jesus.

"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'"
— Matthew 14:22–27 (ESV)

This is the part where Peter asks—boldly—to join Jesus in what He’s doing:

"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus."
— Matthew 14:28–29 (ESV)

Jesus invites Peter into:

• the unknown
  

• the supernatural
  

• the mystery
  

And Jesus invites you and me into the same things.

It’s exciting. It’s scary. It’s almost unbelievable. I still can’t believe the God of the universe wants to connect with me.

But here’s where the sinking starts.

"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'”
— Matthew 14:30 (ESV)

Peter stepped out in faith.
(We give him a hard time for sinking, but honestly—BRAVO, Peter, for stepping out in the first place!)

Jesus invited Peter into the unknown, the supernatural. 

After he stepped out, Peter looked at the wind.
At the waves. - The natural
At the chaos. - The known

At his reality.
And he began to drown.

But the moment he cried out, “Lord, save me,” Jesus reached out and caught him.

Immediately.

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"
— Matthew 14:31 (ESV)

If we want to keep walking forward in faith, we need to renew our gaze.
Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus.

Right now, take a deep breath. Close your eyes.
Picture Jesus standing on the water before you—reaching for you.

Whisper it if you need to:
“Help me, Jesus.”

Let your soul remember who holds all things together—supernaturally.

Let’s Pray Together

Lord God,
Help me keep my eyes on You.
These circumstances around me are heavy and heartbreaking—
the news, the pain, the waiting.
Lord, I ask for Your mercy.

Forgive me for the times I’ve doubted You.
Bless my steps this week.
Illuminate the path before me.
Help me to be a light in the darkness.
Breathe a fresh wind, Holy Spirit.
I trust You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

When we cry out to Jesus, we are immediately rescued.
You are not alone in your sinking feelings.
You are deeply loved—held by the One who walks on waves.