How Can Faith in Jesus Christ Help When Life Feels Overwhelming?

The introduction to Psalm 102, says, “A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.”

Life can be overwhelming. For some, feeling overwhelmed is a response to life’s complex circumstances. For others, feeling overwhelmed may be a symptom of an underlying anxiety disorder or mental health condition. For all of us, Jesus Christ offers power to overcome life’s challenges as we exercise faith in Him.

When life feels overwhelming, faith in Jesus Christ can help us turn to the Savior, receive peace through the Holy Ghost, prioritize what matters most, and find strength one day at a time.

What does it mean to feel overwhelmed?

We all feel overwhelmed at times, and in varying circumstances. Being overwhelmed could mean “having too much to manage,” such as “I was feeling totally overwhelmed by the type of work I had to do.”¹ Or, it could generally mean feeling strong emotions, such as “She felt overwhelmed by grief when her father died.”²

“When you’re overwhelmed, stress takes over your thoughts and emotions, making it hard to cope with everyday tasks. . . . Everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time and it is a completely normal response to everyday stressors.”³ “Emotional overwhelm happens when stress exceeds your ability to cope. It’s the sensation of being flooded—mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically—by more input than your brain or body can process.”⁴

I think we’ve all experienced what this is like. It can build over time, and even small, simple, everyday activities can lead to overwhelm:

Overwhelm rarely arrives all at once. It accumulates quietly: A person answers emails late into the evening for months. A teacher absorbs emotional stress from students daily. A parent makes thousands of invisible decisions without recovery. A college student falls behind by one assignment, then two, then five. . . . Importantly, people in this state are usually not incapable but their nervous systems begin estimating even small demands as costly. That is why a stressed person may avoid something that objectively takes only five minutes. The brain is not measuring the length of the task but the perceived energy required to begin.⁵

There are a lot of pressures in our society, and we likely feel pulled in many directions. When we feel like it’s all just too much, we become overwhelmed.

When is overwhelm more than a normal response to life’s challenges?

Being overwhelmed is not itself a mental or emotional disorder, but it can be a symptom of something more serious. The National Institute of Mental Health provides the following guidance:

Everyone experiences stress, and sometimes that stress can feel overwhelming. You may be at risk for an anxiety disorder if it feels like you can’t manage the stress and if the symptoms of your stress:

• Interfere with your everyday life.
• Cause you to avoid doing things.
• Seem to be always present.⁶

I am not a medical professional, and I am not qualified to provide guidance on those issues. But in conjunction with exercising faith in Jesus Christ, we also believe that it is important to seek help from medical professionals.

We should be willing to receive help from medical professionals

We live in a remarkable age, where knowledge of scientific principles has advanced our society in ways never before experienced on earth. And, we believe all that knowledge came from God:

All the intelligence which men possess on the earth, whether religious, scientific, or political—proceeds from God. Every good and perfect gift proceeds from him, the fountain of light and truth, wherein there is no variableness nor shadow of turning.⁷

Because we believe in exercising our agency, and because we believe in gaining knowledge, those truths together mean that we should seek out and use the knowledge that has been given to us by God. Dallin H. Oaks has taught that “[t]he use of medical science is not at odds with our prayers of faith and our reliance on priesthood blessings.”⁸ President Oaks taught that principle with the following experience by Brigham Young:

When a person requested a priesthood blessing, Brigham Young would ask, “Have you used any remedies?” To those who said no because “we wish the Elders to lay hands upon us, and we have faith that we shall be healed,” President Young replied: “That is very inconsistent according to my faith. If we are sick, and ask the Lord to heal us, and to do all for us that is necessary to be done, according to my understanding of the Gospel of salvation, I might as well ask the Lord to cause my wheat and corn to grow, without my plowing the ground and casting in the seed. It appears consistent to me to apply every remedy that comes within the range of my knowledge, and [then] to ask my Father in Heaven … to sanctify that application to the healing of my body.”⁹

These same principles apply to mental and emotional health. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked the question, “how do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?”¹⁰ He said in such circumstances, we should “never lose faith in your Father in Heaven,”¹¹ but he also emphasized the importance of seeking trusted medical advice:

If things continue to be debilitating, seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values. Be honest with them about your history and your struggles. Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available. So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation.¹²

So, if you feel constantly overwhelmed and you’re unable to find relief, ask for help. The purpose of this article is not to be a substitute for reliable medical advice. It is instead to help us see that faith in Jesus Christ can provide us with relief when we are dealing with life’s challenges.

How can faith in Jesus Christ help us find relief?

As our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ took upon himself our “infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”¹³ Russell M. Nelson taught that because Jesus Christ gave His life for us, we have “access to godly power – power sufficient to deal with the burdens, obstacles, and temptations of our day.”¹⁴ How does this power help us when we feel overwhelmed?

An internet search for what we can do when we feel overwhelmed will often result in suggestions such as taking a break and breathing deeply; writing a list of to-dos and identifying one concrete, useful activity; focusing on completing one thing at a time; controlling what we can control; and planning pleasant activities as a “light at the end of the tunnel.”¹⁵

Many of these recommendations have similar analogs in the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, when we follow the principles of the gospel, we have the benefit of receiving the Savior’s power through the Holy Ghost. It’s His power that gives us relief, and exercising faith in Him is what draws that power into our lives.

1. Pour out your complaint before the Lord

Psalm 102 is “[a] Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.” But the Psalm itself doesn’t contain any counsel or guidance. It doesn’t offer promises or even contain any statements from the Lord Himself. Psalm 102 is a prayer in which the psalmist expresses distress and seeks help from the Lord. This example demonstrates that offering a prayer to God is the first thing we should do as we strive to exercise faith in Christ and find relief.

Faith in Jesus Christ does not require us to pretend that everything is okay. Exercising faith in Jesus Christ means acknowledging that we are struggling while asking Him for help.

There are many examples in the scriptures of people praying in times of trouble. Nephi prayed after his father said they would be leaving Jerusalem (1 Nephi 2:16); the people of Alma prayed in their hearts when they were persecuted by Amulon (Mosiah 24:8-13); Alma prayed when his heart was grieved (Alma 31:24-26); Nephi prayed on his garden tower when he was filled with sorrow (Helaman 7:6-10). There are many others, but these examples show that when we feel overwhelmed, the first thing we should do is pour out our hearts to God and tell Him of our concerns.

2. Be still, and know that I am God

In Psalm 46, the psalmist reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength,” and that He “maketh wars to cease.” With that knowledge, we are counseled to “[b]e still, and know that I am God.”¹⁶ In other words, we should trust in the power that God has to overcome all troubles.

Doctrine and Covenants 101 is a revelation that was given in December 1833, when the Saints in Missouri were facing persecution.¹⁷ The Lord told them, “let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.”¹⁸

What does it mean to “be still,” and how does that help us when we feel overwhelmed? Elder David A. Bednar taught:

I believe the Lord’s admonition to “be still” entails much more than simply not talking or not moving. Perhaps His intent is for us to remember and rely upon Him and His power “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in.” Thus, “be still” may be a way of reminding us to focus upon the Savior unfailingly as the ultimate source of the spiritual stillness of the soul that strengthens us to do and overcome hard things.¹⁹

If we recognize God’s power to help, we can feel more confident that He will help us with everything we need to do. Focusing on the Savior can help us have that confidence. Elder Bednar taught that we can focus on the Savior on the Sabbath Day, in the temple, and in our homes. Elder Bednar taught that in each of these places, we can dress, think, and act in ways that can help us to “be still and know that God is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and Jesus Christ is our Savior.”²⁰

As we make time to focus on the Savior, we are fortified with the power of the Holy Ghost, which will uplift us and help us feel the Savior’s peace and power to overcome our trials.

3. Prioritize the things that are of greatest value

Elder Dale G. Renlund has recognized that life can be complicated, leading to feelings of overwhelm: “In our lives, . . . [w]e may feel . . . overwhelmed and discouraged and just want to crawl back into bed.”²¹ He gives us this recommendation:

I cannot add more time to your days or eliminate the many concerns modern life brings. But I can offer this counsel: Not all matters are of equal value, and maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize the things that are of greatest value. . . . [L]et us consider why focusing on Jesus Christ and the “infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice” is of greatest value and helps us no matter how many other concerns we must manage. His life, His mission, and the fruits of His Atonement bless us infinitely and daily.

If we want the Savior’s power in our lives, we need to make Him our priority. When we feel overwhelmed, we can make a list of priorities, or a task list, and we should make sure that our discipleship is evident on that list.

4. Focus on the small and simple things

Alma told his son Helaman that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass,” and “by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.”²²

At a BYU Women’s Conference, President Susan H. Porter, the Primary General President, and Tracy Y. Browning, the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, gave advice about how focusing on the small and simple things can help us to avoid “spiritual overwhelm”:

President Porter: You know, a few weeks ago, Tracy, I was really impressed when you came into my office and you said, “I’m sorry, I won’t be in the office tomorrow.” And you said, “I’ve received an impression that my family needs me.” And so I wondered and I thought and wanted to ask you: In that day that you spent at home, which was the needful thing, what happened? . . .

Sister Browning: . . . I did receive that prompting that I needed to spend time with my family, and that for me, that day, meant really simple things. It meant that I needed to be present. I needed to be listening. I needed to be in conversation. I needed, really—that day, I really needed to have my tongue loosened and my mouth filled with words that could help to provide guidance in that moment. So it wasn’t [that] I needed to add, replace the things on my calendar with big activities. I needed to do quite simple things. . . . [T]here are simple things that we will do in our lives, including when we’re feeling quite overwhelmed with the things of our lives, that will bring about great power in our lives if we focus on simple things, not all the multitasking of the million big things but simple things in our daily efforts.²³

What small things will help you focus on the Savior? Prayer and scripture study are two examples. Small and simple things can fit into a busy schedule. Those small things will bring great power into our lives, which will make it easier for us to manage the bigger things.

5. Receive the Holy Ghost

It is vital that we have the Holy Ghost with us as we face life’s challenges. The Savior Himself called the Holy Ghost the “Comforter,” and said that through the Holy Ghost, we could receive His peace.²⁴ When Alma was sorrowful because of the wickedness of the people, “the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.”²⁵ Through the Holy Ghost, we can receive the Savior’s comfort, peace, and power to overcome life’s challenges.

What can we do to have the Holy Ghost in our lives? Elder Bednar suggested that we “(1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God’s commandments.”²⁶

Some of the practical guidance Elder Bednar gave included “making and keeping of covenants; praying sincerely as individuals and families; searching the scriptures diligently; strengthening appropriate relationships with family members and friends; seeking after virtuous thoughts, actions, and language; and worshipping in our homes, in the holy temple, and at church.”²⁷

These things don’t need to feel like additions to an already busy schedule. They are the small and simple things that should be on our list of priorities, and which help us have the Holy Ghost, which will give us the power to overcome life’s challenges.

6. Seek revelation for help in making decisions

Although this point may seem similar to receiving the Holy Ghost, it is important that we not only strive to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, but that we seek revelation for help with our many to-dos. God will not only give us the strength to face life’s challenges, but He will also inspire us with knowledge and wisdom to make decisions as we face those challenges.

The Lord said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”²⁸ Russell M. Nelson testified that God really wants to speak to us.²⁹ Dale G. Renlund has testified that we “can receive revelation, for example, about where to live, what career path to follow, or whom to marry.”³⁰ There are many resources that teach us the principles of revelation that we can study if we have questions about how to obtain guidance from the Lord. A great place to start is the topic “Revelation” (both the overview and the study guide) in the Topics and Questions on the Church’s website.

It brings great peace when we know that God, who knows all things and has all power, is our Heavenly Father and is personally interested in our lives. When we have many decisions to make, the Lord can help us prioritize, He can help us know which activities are most important, He can guide us and let us know where we should focus our efforts, and He can give us knowledge and insights that will enhance our ability to make decisions. When we receive guidance from God, knowing that He supports us, we will feel less overwhelmed.

A prayer for the overwhelmed

Psalm 102 is a “prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed.”³¹ In our day, we have many songs that help us feel peace and comfort when we feel overwhelmed. Hymn 1013, God’s Gracious Love,³² can help us feel comfort and teach us truths about God’s ability to strengthen us and bring us peace:

Day by day, God’s gracious love surrounds me
As a balm to soothe my troubled heart.
Countless cares and worries that confound me
Fade away or quietly depart,
For His heart is kind beyond all measure,
And He comforts us as He knows best.
Ev’ry day, with all its pain and pleasure,
Mingles tears with peace and rest.

Day by day, the Lord is ever near me,
Granting loving mercies for each hour,
And my care He gladly bears, and cheers me
With His counsel pure and holy pow’r.
I’ll not fear for what may come tomorrow,
Though the path ahead I cannot see.
He assures that in all joy or sorrow,
“As thy days, thy strength shall be.”

Help me rest in quiet consolation.
Help me trust Thy promises, O Lord.
When I’m faced with daily tribulation,
Help me find the strength to live Thy word.
Then, dear Lord, when toil and trouble find me,
Hold me steadfast in Thy pow’rful hand.
Day by day, Thy strength will bear me kindly
Till I reach the promised land.

Exercising faith in Jesus Christ helps us when we feel overwhelmed. As we focus our priorities on Him, we invite His Spirit into our lives, which gives us the power to deal with life’s challenges.

References

1. “Overwhelmed,” Cambridge Dictionary Online, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/overwhelmed. ↩︎
2. “Overwhelmed,” Cambridge Dictionary Online. ↩︎
3. Sanjana Gupta, “What Does It Mean to Feel Overwhelmed?” June 5, 2026, Verywell Mind, https://www.verywellmind.com/feeling-overwhelmed-symptoms-causes-and-coping-5425548. ↩︎
4. Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc, “How To Cope When Everything Is Overwhelming,” May 13, 2025, Simply Psychology, https://www.simplypsychology.org/everything-is-overwhelming.html. ↩︎
5. Cathleen G. Beachboard, MA, “The Hidden Psychology Behind Feeling Overwhelmed,” May 12, 2026, Psychology Today Website, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-hopeful-brain/202605/the-hidden-psychology-behind-feeling-overwhelmed. ↩︎
6. “I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet,” National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet. ↩︎
7. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, “Chapter 10: The Value of Education,” Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2011, 91, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-john-taylor/chapter-10?lang=eng&id=p12#p12. ↩︎
8. Dallin H. Oaks, “Healing the Sick,” April 2010, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/healing-the-sick?lang=eng&id=p5#p5. ↩︎
9. Oaks, “Healing the Sick.” ↩︎
10. Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel,” October 2013, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng&id=p8#p8. ↩︎
11. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel.” ↩︎
12. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel.” ↩︎
13. Alma 7:12. ↩︎
14. Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ Into Our Lives,” April 2017, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng&id=p4#p4. ↩︎
15. Mary E. Anderson Ph.D., “5 Ways to Find Relief in a Moment of Overwhelm,” September 24, 2024, Psychology Today Website, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-happy-high-achiever/202409/5-ways-to-find-relief-in-a-moment-of-overwhelm. ↩︎
16. Psalm 46:10. ↩︎
17. Doctrine and Covenants 101, Introduction. ↩︎
18. Doctrine and Covenants 101:16. ↩︎
19. David A. Bednar, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God,” April 2024, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/21bednar?lang=eng&id=p9#p9. ↩︎
20. Bednar, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God.” ↩︎
21. Dale G. Renlund, “Because of Jesus Christ,” April 2026, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/46renlund?lang=eng&id=p_peD0X-p_lVtO9#p_peD0X. ↩︎
22. Alma 37:6-7. ↩︎
23. Avoiding Spiritual Overwhelm: Progressing “Line upon Line,” May 4, 2023, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/miscellaneous-events/2023/05/20-avoiding-spiritual-overwhelm-progressing-line-upon-line?lang=eng. ↩︎
24. John 14:26-27. ↩︎
25. Alma 4:15. ↩︎
26. David A. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” October 2010, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/receive-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng&id=p19#p19. ↩︎
27. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost.” ↩︎
28. Matthew 7:7. ↩︎
29. Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng&id=p30#p30. ↩︎
30. Dale G. Renlund, “A Framework for Personal Revelation,” October 2022, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/14renlund?lang=eng&id=p11#p11. ↩︎
31. Psalm 102. ↩︎
32. I sang this hymn with a small choir at the 2025 Church Music Festival. You can watch the video here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2026-02-gods-gracious-love?lang=eng&collection=2025-church-music-festival. ↩︎