Overcome. Have you ever felt that word? Just overcome. Too much to deal with. Too many disturbances in your life. Too much heartbreak. Too many concerns out of your hands. Too much. Period.

Me too.

Consulting Webster, I didn’t find the word used in that sense. The definition had a positive slant: to get the better of, surmount (as in difficulties), overwhelm, to gain the superiority, win. The dictionary gave this synonym, “conquer,” and the noun, “overcomer.”

Of course, that’s how it should be. Christ-followers should live as overcomers. But reality sometimes finds us feeling overcome. Beaten down. Trounced.

Beware. Staying long in that place gives the Enemy an advantage. Get out now before he locks the gate and keeps you imprisoned in hopelessness. Hurry to a safe place—the promises of God.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

He’s the Overcomer! And no matter what this day brings, in him we have peace!

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He’s the Overcomer! And no matter what this day… Click To Tweet

Here’s more good news: “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4b).

Fact: we live in a troubled world. News channels blaring 24/7 keep us informed of trouble around the globe. Friends are experiencing all kinds of trouble. Families are ripped apart by trouble. We are so aware of trouble, so burdened by the weight of it all.

We aren’t equipped to carry such a load. Our hearts just aren’t strong enough. The Lord never intended for us to bear these burdens. He meant for us to cast all our cares on him.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

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

When we choose to do that, we change position—from being overcome to being an overcomer. Overcomers through the power of Christ! Abiding in him, walking with him by faith, trusting him.

To be trounced by the enemy, we have to submit. We agree to let him pummel us and thrash us around like limp rag dolls. I don’t believe anyone intentionally gives up. But after daily distress and disappointment have whipped us and tripped us and convinced us we are helpless, the enemy dives in to bind us, sneering, “God let you down! You don’t deserve this!”

How do we escape from this snare? By latching on to Jesus, the Overcomer, through prayer and faith!

One of my favorite words is triumph, which always reminds me of the Lord’s spectacular deliverance of Israel from the Egyptian army. Moses responded, “…I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him…Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy” (Exodus 15:1-2, 6).

Here’s a promise for us. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Feeling overcome? Latch on to the Overcomer, Christ the Lord! Through him we will triumph gloriously!

I’d love to know if you can relate to these thoughts. Leave a comment. And please share this with your friends who need a word of encouragement today.

© Dianne Barker 2021