When Saints Are Overwhelmed:

Written By Elissa Jarvis

Practical Tools You Can Use to Help

Why Calming the Body Matters in Spiritual Healing

When a saint is overwhelmed, fearful, or shut down, it can be difficult for them to pray clearly, hear from God, or surrender fully—not because they lack faith, but because their body is still reacting to stress or threat. Because we are embodied beings, attending to these physical and emotional needs can go a long way towards helping people consistently follow God.

The Bible reminds us that God knows our physical frame (Psalm 103:14), and we see throughout Scripture that Jesus often ministered to physical needs before speaking to spiritual ones. He fed the hungry (John 6), healed the sick (Luke 8:48), and invited the weary to rest (Matthew 11:28-30) before calling them deeper.

Science shows that the nervous system reacts faster than conscious thought. This is a God-designed mechanism to spur us to action in the face of an impending threat (e.g., a snake or a speeding car) when we don’t have time to think first. However, fear, anger, numbness, and other emotions can hijack one’s ability to think logically and act according to what we know.

Helping calm the body—through breathing, noticing, and validating emotions—can actually be a powerful tool to help saints work towards achieving spiritual breakthrough or following the wisdom of Scripture. It is preparing the soil so the Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit can go deeper.

When the body finds safety, the spirit can hear the gentle whisper of God more clearly.

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." —Psalm 23:3 (KJV)

This guide offers simple, Spirit-sensitive tools to help saints settle their bodies—so their hearts and spirits are ready to receive everything God desires to pour out.

Understanding Emotional Dysregulation

When people are emotionally dysregulated, their nervous system is "on alert" even if they don’t realize it.

  • They might be stuck in "fight" mode (angry, reactive).

  • They might be stuck in "flight" mode (anxious, fidgety, panicked).

  • Or they might be stuck in "freeze" mode (numb, disconnected, hopeless).

Calming the body first can help people achieve a sense of safety and calm, so that their minds are clearer to receive the Word of God and engage with others in a healthy way.

"For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." —Psalm 103:14 (KJV)

Practical Tools You Can Use When Meeting with Saints

Common Situations You Might Encounter:

  • A young person experiencing a panic attack after a family crisis.

  • A saint breaking down emotionally during altar call.

  • A leader facing burnout, feeling numb and detached.

  • A member lashing out in anger during counseling, feeling trapped.

1. Settle the Body First

  • Encourage a few slow, deep breaths.

  • Pray: "Lord, settle our bodies so we can hear You clearly."

2. Normalize the Struggle

  • Say: "Our bodies and emotions sometimes struggle even when we love and trust God."

  • Affirm that needing help to calm down is human, not failure.

3. Invite Body Awareness Without Shame

  • Ask: "What are you feeling or noticing right now?"

  • Gently guide them to notice, name it, and offer it to God.

4. Validate Their Emotions

  • Acknowledge: "It makes sense you feel overwhelmed after what you've been through."

  • Reflect back what you hear: "You're carrying a lot, and God sees it."

5. Lead Them Into Holy Surrender

  • Pray:

"Lord, I feel it here. I don't hide it. I give it to You. Breathe Your peace into me."

6. Watch for Signs of Settling

  • Look for relaxed shoulders, deeper breaths, softened expressions.

7. Root Them in Scripture After Settling

  • Use grounding Scriptures:

    • “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1

    • “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” - Isaiah 26:3

Important Reminders

  • You are helping their body and emotions find peace so their spirit can hear God more clearly.

  • Regulating the body first opens the spirit to receive better.

  • Validation and compassion prepare the heart for surrender.

  • Once people have settled in their body and emotions, they will be more readily able to receive godly wisdom and direction.

When saints offer their body, soul, and spirit to God in surrender, healing can flow freely.

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." —1 Thessalonians 5:23

We’re Here to Support You

Our agency is available as a resource should you need information, training, or consultation. If you have questions about navigating difficult conversations or connecting someone with help, please don’t hesitate to reach out at 757-895-7953 or info@integritycollective.org. You do not have to handle these situations alone.

Elissa Jarvis
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Pastoring Broken Hearts: