Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
John 21:10-11
If you’re in a season of being overwhelmed, take solace from Jesus’ words to the disciples here. Remember: the disciples had just fished all night and caught nothing (John 21:3). Absolutely nothing. So they’re already exhausted. Disheartened. Emotionally and physically fragile.
Anyone who’s fished before knows how painful it is to catch nothing. But imagine if that was your actual job (like it was for some of the disciples). And if you caught no fish, you made no money. So you had just spent an entire night working for nothing.
But then they take Jesus’ advice to “cast the net on the right side of the boat” (John 21:6). They do so, and catch over 150 fish! That’s insane. Almost legendary. But “although there were so many, the net was not torn.”
They were tired. Worn out. Frustrated. And even though their net was so incredibly full, it didn’t rip. Jesus loaded them up with fish, but the net held fast.
You may be at your wit’s end. You may be completely overwhelmed in every way. But keep following Jesus and trusting his voice. Your life may be filled to the brim and seemingly on the verge of busting – but in the hands of the Savior, it will not be torn.