FROM STRUGGLING TO OVERFLOW
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Luke 5:1-7
Supporting Texts: Psalm 126:1-6, Joel 2:25-27, Deuteronomy 28:11-12, John 21:3-6
INTRODUCTION:
Struggling can wear a person down—not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. Many sincere believers find themselves in situations where they are putting in all the effort, yet seeing no reward. They labour tirelessly, invest their time and energy, and pour out their hearts, but nothing seems to yield fruit. This was the case with Peter, a professional fisherman, who had toiled all night without catching a single fish. But something changed the moment Jesus stepped into his boat.
When Jesus becomes the centre of your efforts—your career, ministry, business, or personal life—everything changes. His presence brings direction, favour, and abundance. Struggles cease when Jesus takes the lead. This message is an invitation to surrender your empty nets to Him and receive divine overflow.
1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE FRUSTRATION OF STRUGGLING
There must be a recognition of the weariness that struggling brings before one can experience a turnaround.
a) Struggling brings weariness – Prolonged effort without visible results can be draining. Peter had laboured all night and was physically exhausted (Luke 5:5). Like Peter, many are washing their nets today—cleaning up after another fruitless attempt at life’s pursuits.
b) Struggling without results affects faith – Repeated failure begins to erode confidence. Over time, it can make you question your calling, your competence, or even God’s promises. Faith begins to waver when success seems elusive.
c) Struggling in isolation is dangerous – Before Jesus arrived, Peter was alone in his frustration. Isolation during seasons of struggle can breed discouragement and despair. It’s in such moments that the enemy whispers lies.
d) Struggling without God leads to futility – Any effort that lacks God’s guidance and blessing is bound to be unproductive. Psalm 127:1 declares, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Human effort, no matter how intense, is limited without divine involvement.
Biblical Example: The Israelites in Egypt were subjected to hard labour and bitter bondage, but their struggle only ended when God intervened with a mighty hand (Exodus 1:13-14; Exodus 3:7-8).
2. INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR BOAT
Transformation begins the moment we allow Jesus into the centre of our efforts.
a) Jesus brings direction and clarity – He told Peter exactly where and how to fish (Luke 5:4). Divine guidance replaces guesswork when Jesus is in the boat. Confusion gives way to clarity when He takes control.
b) Jesus brings divine favour – His presence alone makes the difference. With Jesus in your boat, doors open that were once closed. Like Joseph, who prospered because “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:2), divine presence guarantees success.
c) Obedience to His word releases miracles – Peter didn’t argue. He responded, “Nevertheless at thy word…” (Luke 5:5). That simple act of obedience unlocked a miracle. Many remain in struggle simply because they haven’t obeyed His voice.
d) Jesus turns ordinary efforts into extraordinary results – Peter used the same net, the same boat, and the same waters—but the results were different because Jesus was involved. God doesn’t always change the tools, He anoints them.
Biblical Example: At the wedding in Cana, Jesus transformed water into wine only after He was invited. What was about to be an embarrassing moment turned into a glorious celebration because Jesus was present (John 2:1-11).
3. FOLLOW DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS EVEN WHEN IT DEFIES LOGIC
Divine instructions often seem irrational to the natural mind, but they carry the power for breakthrough.
a) Divine instructions may not make sense – Peter, an experienced fisherman, knew it was pointless to fish in the daytime. Yet, Jesus told him to launch out then. Obedience sometimes requires doing what seems illogical.
b) Obedience activates the supernatural – The moment Peter obeyed, a miraculous catch occurred. When we act on God’s word, even without full understanding, heaven responds with power.
c) Faith requires humility – Peter had to lay aside his professional knowledge and yield to the command of a carpenter. Faith often means trusting God beyond your experience and expertise.
d) God uses foolish things to confound the wise – What appears foolish or unreasonable to man often becomes the stage for God’s greatest works (1 Corinthians 1:27). Trusting divine wisdom over human logic is the key to victory.
Biblical Example: Naaman was a respected military commander, but his healing came through a strange command—dipping seven times in the Jordan River. Though it seemed foolish, it worked because it was divine (2 Kings 5:10-14).
4. GOD TURNS STRUGGLING INTO OVERFLOW
God not only delivers us from struggle—He ushers us into an overwhelming abundance.
a) The result of obedience is abundance – Peter’s net could not contain the catch. His obedience brought him into a realm of more than enough (Luke 5:6).
b) God specialises in sudden turnarounds – In one moment, Peter went from empty nets to overflowing boats. Your turnaround may not take years—it could be just one word away.
c) Overflow becomes a testimony to others – Peter had to call his partners to help. When God blesses you, it overflows into the lives of others. Your miracle becomes someone else’s encouragement.
d) God turns your place of shame into a platform for glory – The very boat that once carried disappointment became the pulpit for a miracle. God uses what once brought you pain to bring you honour.
Biblical Example: Ruth arrived in Bethlehem as a poor widow gleaning leftover grain, but by divine arrangement, she became the owner of the field through Boaz. Her story moved from survival to significance (Ruth 4:13-17).
CONCLUSION:
There comes a divine moment when struggling must cease. For Peter, it was when Jesus stepped into his boat. The same Jesus is still stepping into lives today, bringing rest, clarity, and overflow. The struggles of yesterday don’t have to continue into today. You don’t have to live in frustration when abundance is God’s will for your life.
If you will acknowledge your struggle, invite Jesus in, obey His instructions—even when they defy logic—then prepare yourself for a miracle of overflow. Your season of struggle is ending, and a new season of supernatural abundance is beginning!
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I surrender every area of struggle in my life to You.
2. Jesus, step into my boat and take control of my efforts.
3. I reject fruitless labour and cycles of failure in my destiny.
4. Let Your divine instructions guide me to breakthrough and prosperity.
5. Father, turn my frustration into fulfilment and joy.
6. Open doors of abundance and close every gate of scarcity.
7. Break every generational curse of stagnation and delay.
8. I receive divine favour in my work, family, and ministry.
9. Let my life become a testimony of supernatural turnaround.
10. Thank You, Lord, for shifting me from struggling to overflowing!
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. Your season of fruitless labour is permanently over!
2. Jesus is taking control of your boat—your efforts will now yield results.
3. What did not work before will begin to work by divine instruction.
4. You shall experience net-breaking, boat-sinking miracles this season.
5. Helpers will rush to support the harvest God is bringing into your hands.
6. Your shame is being replaced by honour and supernatural testimony.
7. You will no longer labour in vain or bring forth for trouble.
8. The power of divine favour will multiply your results.
9. Where you struggled before, you will now flourish beyond expectation.
10. Overflow is your portion from today onward in Jesus’ name!
