--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is experiences of being overwhelmed…" description: "\"It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed, & surprisingly given life that empower us to pray & sing.\" — Walter Brueggemann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg" --- # It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed… ![“It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed, & surprisingly given life that empower us to pray & sing.” quote by Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg) > “It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed, & surprisingly given life that empower us to pray & sing.” [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense hardship can deepen faith, prompting both prayer and joyful expression. **In simple terms:** Hardship can inspire prayer and singing. Key Takeaway Embrace suffering as a catalyst for spiritual growth. Themes faith resilience gratitude Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - personal crisis - recovering from loss - spiritual retreats Key Concepts theology emotional catharsis Questions to Reflect On - How have challenges shaped your spiritual life? - What practices help transform pain into gratitude? A Different Perspective May not all suffering lead to positive outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-overwhelmed/) [Empower Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empower-pray-3743796/) [Experiences Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiences-overwhelmed-3743794/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Empower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-empower-2604702/) [Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed/) [Overwhelmed Nearly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed-nearly-3743795/) ## Related quotes > [I have been a long-time advocate for a just Arab-Israeli peace and for Palestinian refugees. Today, as you are aware, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-noor-of-jordan/i-have-been-a-long-time-advocate-for-a-just-arab-israeli-peace-and/) [Queen Noor of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-noor-of-jordan/) > [Prayerless people cut themselves off from God's prevailing power, and the frequent result is the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed, overrun, beaten down, pushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hybels/prayerless-people-cut-themselves-off-from-god-s-prevailing-power-and/) [Bill Hybels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hybels/) > [When I'm stressed, I just relax...hate being overwhelmed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-stressed-i-just-relax-hate-being-overwhelmed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are in danger of being overwhelmed with irredeemable paper, mere paper, representing not gold nor silver; no sir, representing nothing but broken promises,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/we-are-in-danger-of-being-overwhelmed-with-irredeemable-paper-mere/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [Maybe being overwhelmed is a good thing...it means I'm not in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/maybe-being-overwhelmed-is-a-good-thing-it-means-i-m-not-in-control/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's this emotion we all feel of being overwhelmed at times, feeling that you can't get ahead. For me it's self-imposed because I'm so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/there-s-this-emotion-we-all-feel-of-being-overwhelmed-at-times/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [There's a difference between being overwhelmed and being stressed. Haven't ever clung to the Lord this much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-difference-between-being-overwhelmed-and-being-stressed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I foresee myself being overwhelmed at University, yet I'm attending regardless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-foresee-myself-being-overwhelmed-at-university-yet-i-m-attending/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The stream of passing years is like a river with people being carried along in the current. Some are swept along, protesting, fighting all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingalls-wilder/the-stream-of-passing-years-is-like-a-river-with-people-being-carried/) [Laura Ingalls Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingalls-wilder/) > [Has anyone seen my brain? It ran off flailing and screaming about being overwhelmed this morning. I'd really like it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/has-anyone-seen-my-brain-it-ran-off-flailing-and-screaming-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The overwhelming joy of conversion or a new calling is often followed by feelings of being overwhelmed with duties and doctrines. The first joyous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-overwhelming-joy-of-conversion-or-a-new-calling-is-often-followed/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [People always talk about being overwhelmed in a supermarket. I've never felt that feeling. I like lots of choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-always-talk-about-being-overwhelmed-in-a-supermarket-i-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's nothing worse than going on a huge food shopping trip, then being overwhelmed of the endless possibilities you can make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-going-on-a-huge-food-shopping-trip-then/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is a fact of history that those who seek to withdraw from its great experiments usually end up being overwhelmed by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ward-baroness-jackson-of-lodsworth/it-is-a-fact-of-history-that-those-who-seek-to-withdraw-from-its/) [Barbara Ward, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ward-baroness-jackson-of-lodsworth/) > [Most of the problems of government come from people being overwhelmed by the size and scale of what they have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/most-of-the-problems-of-government-come-from-people-being-overwhelmed/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) ## More by Walter Brueggemann > [“In the end, ethical interpretation of the Bible means to think critically about how our practices of textual engagement might help us to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/in-the-end-ethical-interpretation-of-the-bible-means-to-think/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [The world for which you have been so carefully prepared is being taken away from you, by the grace of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-world-for-which-you-have-been-so-carefully-prepared-is-being/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [Every imperial agent wants to reduce what is possible to what is available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/every-imperial-agent-wants-to-reduce-what-is-possible-to-what-is/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“The outcome is to delegitimize and deconstruct the kings in effective ways in order to show that while they occupy the forms of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-outcome-is-to-delegitimize-and-deconstruct-the-kings-in-effective/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [The church meets to imagine what our lives can be like if the gospel were true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-church-meets-to-imagine-what-our-lives-can-be-like-if-the-gospel/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“Pharaoh is clearly a metaphor. He embodies and represents raw, absolute, worldly power. He is, like Pilate after him, a stand-in for the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/pharaoh-is-clearly-a-metaphor-he-embodies-and-represents-raw-absolute/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“The news enacted by Elisha is reperformed by Jesus. It is, subsequently, performed in many other venues, sometimes by the followers of Jesus, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-news-enacted-by-elisha-is-reperformed-by-jesus-it-is-subsequently/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress - in uniforms and medals, or in computers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/people-notice-peacemakers-because-they-dress-funny-we-know-how-the/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“Only those who embrace the reality of death will receive the new life. Implicit in his statement is that those who do not mourn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/only-those-who-embrace-the-reality-of-death-will-receive-the-new-life/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“The truth that is variously enacted by such agents is not an idea or a proposition. It is rather a habit of life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-truth-that-is-variously-enacted-by-such-agents-is-not-an-idea-or/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“The same subversion of power by truth is evident in the way in which Luke begins his account of Jesus of Nazareth. Luke is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-same-subversion-of-power-by-truth-is-evident-in-the-way-in-which/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [We now know that human transformation does not happen through didacticism or through excessive certitude, but through the playful entertainment of another scripting of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/we-now-know-that-human-transformation-does-not-happen-through/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“It occurs to me that the situation of the church in our society, perhaps the church everywhere always, is entrusted with a truth that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/it-occurs-to-me-that-the-situation-of-the-church-in-our-society/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [The gospel is fiction when judged by the empire, but the empire is fiction when judged by the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/the-gospel-is-fiction-when-judged-by-the-empire-but-the-empire-is/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [Hope requires a very careful symbolization. It must not be expressed too fully in the present tense because hope one can touch and handle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/hope-requires-a-very-careful-symbolization-it-must-not-be-expressed/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) [Explore all 71 Walter Brueggemann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) ## More Being overwhelmed quotes > [I have been a long-time advocate for a just Arab-Israeli peace and for Palestinian refugees. Today, as you are aware, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-noor-of-jordan/i-have-been-a-long-time-advocate-for-a-just-arab-israeli-peace-and/) [Queen Noor of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-noor-of-jordan/) > [Dont worry about anything. When you feel yourself being overwhelmed by fears and concerns, pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-worry-about-anything-when-you-feel-yourself-being-overwhelmed-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is a fact of history that those who seek to withdraw from its great experiments usually end up being overwhelmed by them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ward-baroness-jackson-of-lodsworth/it-is-a-fact-of-history-that-those-who-seek-to-withdraw-from-its/) [Barbara Ward, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ward-baroness-jackson-of-lodsworth/) > [I cannot fathom how people stand Blackberry phones. I cannot hold one for a minute without being overwhelmed with the urge to smash it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-cannot-fathom-how-people-stand-blackberry-phones-i-cannot-hold-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's nothing worse than going on a huge food shopping trip, then being overwhelmed of the endless possibilities you can make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-going-on-a-huge-food-shopping-trip-then/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In a sense, and as in melodrama, killing yourself amounts to confessing. It is confessing that life is too much for you or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/in-a-sense-and-as-in-melodrama-killing-yourself-amounts-to-confessing/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [People always talk about being overwhelmed in a supermarket. I've never felt that feeling. I like lots of choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-always-talk-about-being-overwhelmed-in-a-supermarket-i-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being overwhelmed with sadness but not really knowing why your lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-overwhelmed-with-sadness-but-not-really-knowing-why-your-lonely/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The overwhelming joy of conversion or a new calling is often followed by feelings of being overwhelmed with duties and doctrines. The first joyous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-overwhelming-joy-of-conversion-or-a-new-calling-is-often-followed/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Has anyone seen my brain? It ran off flailing and screaming about being overwhelmed this morning. I'd really like it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/has-anyone-seen-my-brain-it-ran-off-flailing-and-screaming-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The stream of passing years is like a river with people being carried along in the current. Some are swept along, protesting, fighting all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingalls-wilder/the-stream-of-passing-years-is-like-a-river-with-people-being-carried/) [Laura Ingalls Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingalls-wilder/) > [I foresee myself being overwhelmed at University, yet I'm attending regardless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-foresee-myself-being-overwhelmed-at-university-yet-i-m-attending/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a difference between being overwhelmed and being stressed. Haven't ever clung to the Lord this much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-difference-between-being-overwhelmed-and-being-stressed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's this emotion we all feel of being overwhelmed at times, feeling that you can't get ahead. For me it's self-imposed because I'm so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/there-s-this-emotion-we-all-feel-of-being-overwhelmed-at-times/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [Maybe being overwhelmed is a good thing...it means I'm not in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/maybe-being-overwhelmed-is-a-good-thing-it-means-i-m-not-in-control/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 39 Being overwhelmed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-overwhelmed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed, & surprisingly given life that empower us to pray & sing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Brueggemann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-nearly-destroyed-surprisingly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being overwhelmed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-nearly-destroyed-surprisingly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/walter-brueggemann-9698_being-overwhelmed_it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-n_1221742.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is experiences of being overwhelmed, nearly destroyed, & surprisingly given life that empower us to pray…” — Walter Brueggemann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Walter Brueggemann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is experiences of being overwhelmed,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-nearly-destroyed-surprisingly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/it-is-experiences-of-being-overwhelmed-nearly-destroyed-surprisingly/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```