How to Overcome the Spills in Life

Spilling of Waterfalls and Tears

It’s been years since I watched Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa spilling over the edges of the earth. There’s no way to stop it—you can’t restrain that kind of force.

No more than I can restrain tears spilling over the edges of my face. “Lord, let me remind you I am speaking to a ladies group in less than twenty-four hours. And I am speaking about you.”

Why tears? The two days before did not go as I had planned. I latched onto words murmured in the negative; and felt burdened under the weight of a hectic schedule coupled with what seemed like a myriad of responsibilities.

Overwhelmed. Discouraged in every “hat” placed atop my head—a defeated mindset fitting inside each one.

Family hats ranging from mother and wife to sister and daughter. Ministry hats labeled speaker, pastor’s wife, and writer. Friend (confidant), neighbor, and community hats. Each simultaneously vying for my head’s attention in any daily moment.

I look the part of “hat lady” for the circus—if there is such a role under the big tent. Hats stacked up to the sky as I try to walk through my day in a balancing act to keep them from toppling. 

The appearance of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But I cannot go on like this.

Spilling of Milk

My concerns—while important to process—are often crying over spilled milk. Is there a point for “crying over spilled milk?” The idiom would argue a resounding “no.” Once it has happened, I can’t go back and change any of the circumstances.

Herein lies the problem; it’s not in the spilling but in the milk. Left unattended, milk sours. Unless every trace is wiped away, the sour odor lingers. I clean it up and that’s the end. I walk away until milk is spilled again.

How to Overcome—Spilling of Love

Are you over the edge in life from murmured words, a myriad of hats, a defeated mindset, or a sour attitude?

Herein lies the solution; it’s not in the spilling but in who cleans up. Spilled milk is no match for the force of God’s love spilling over our hearts, minds, and souls. He wipes away every trace of discouragement, heavy burden, and overwhelming tear as He attends to the clean up.

My tears have been my food….

My soul is downcast within me….

Deep calls to deep

    in the roar of your waterfalls; 

all your waves and breakers

    have swept over me. Psalm 42:3, 6-7 NIV

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me (Verse 8, NLT).

I simply cannot restrain that kind of force. God’s overwhelming love and care in my life. A force to be reckoned with.

Spilling of Jesus

When life has me over the edge, Jesus spills over me. He overcomes the spills in life.

Jesus brings healing to my soul. He instructs me to leave the hat lady and balancing act at the circus as I run to the tower of His strength—which is never leaning—but a strong tower. Balance of holiness, grace, mercy, truth, love, justice, and forgiveness awaits me there.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

Let His love spill over the edges of your soul as you run to the strong tower of His name.

Watch this short video (37 seconds) I filmed on 5/20/15. Mesmerized with these dancing waters, I was reminded of the Lord’s captivating love and peace during spills in life. The Island, Pigeon Forge, TN.

© 2015 by Karen Friday