It is rather how you live with it that will matter...

I had a moment this week when I realized something important: life keeps moving forward, whether I feel ready for it or not. Growth is not linear—it doesn’t pause for us to catch up.

And the truth is, the more we step into new opportunities, the more overwhelming life can feel.

This week, I was simply going through my days—doing new things for my business, meeting new people, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I should have felt excited—after all, these are things I’ve prayed for. But instead, I felt overwhelmed.

As an introvert, I love quiet time with God. I love reflecting, processing, and being still. But when life picks up speed, all kinds of emotions rise to the surface. My mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. It’s my default pattern—the one I’ve carried since childhood. My father, who raised three daughters alone after my mother passed away, always worried about us. I see now how that fear shaped me. If I let it, I’ll live in that same place of worry, even when good things are happening.

But I don’t want to live that way. And you don't have to, either, Reader.

I recently heard something on a podcast that really resonated with me. Dr. Julie Smith talked about the idea that we often feel like the prey in our own lives—chased by to-do lists, expectations, fears, and unknowns. But what if we flipped that thinking? What if, instead of feeling overwhelmed, I saw myself as the one taking charge (the predator)—the one choosing to embrace the newness, the one stepping forward with faith?

Here’s How, Reader:

It starts with shifting our thinking. The way we talk to ourselves, the way we judge our circumstances—these things shape our reality. Sometimes, simply being aware that our judgment isn’t helpful is the first step to changing it, perhaps also understanding where it is coming from.

Many of the thoughts that overwhelm us aren’t even based on truth; they come from our past, from fears we’ve inherited, from old patterns that no longer serve us. But we get to choose how we think about our situation, even when it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Although we cannot prevent thoughts from coming, we can select the one we want.

Because here’s the truth: newness will always feel overwhelming, Reader. Growth will always stretch us. Every answered prayer, every new opportunity, every step forward brings something we haven’t encountered before. And that’s where trusting God becomes essential.

In this week’s podcast episode, When Success Feels Overwhelming: Three Simple Ways to Trust God, I share what has been helping me navigate these moments.

In addition to the episode, here are my thoughts for you today:

1. Recognize that overwhelm isn’t a curse—it’s a sign of growth.

If we’re never overwhelmed, we’re probably not stepping into anything new. The question isn’t how do I remove overwhelm? but how do I live well with it?

1. Shift the conversation in your mind.

Our inner dialogue shapes how we experience life. Am I seeing this season as too much to handle, or as an opportunity to trust God more deeply?

Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”

What if I saw new challenges as blessings, not burdens?

1. Let God build the house.

Psalm 127:1 reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”

When I try to control everything, I end up exhausted and anxious. But when I trust God to lead, I find peace—even in the unknown.

What About You?

I’d love to hear from you—how do you handle the overwhelm that comes with growth? Do you have ways you remind yourself to trust God in new seasons?

And if you haven’t yet, please join my Facebook group community, Curious for Christ. It’s a space where we can encourage one another, share insights, and grow in faith together.

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Let’s walk this journey together!

With love and faith,
Alexandra ✗⚬ﾒ𝟶

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