How to deal with overwhelm in under 5 minutes
Last Sunday our pastor, Andy Rock, got my attention by his comment of how much we expect retirement to be a life free of responsibility—just one long vacation—nothing to do but rest and relax.It's true, I thought, dreaming of a 365-day cruise free of cleaning, cooking, and bill paying — a life of someone else doing the work of thinking and doing for me."But that's not retirement," Andy said. "That's hospice."POW! My bubble burst.Since Tom and I retired and moved out to the country, our life has been full of things tugging at our sleeves, needing to get done.
Responsibility may have changed locations...
...but its to-do list is still activeThe other day my sense of overwhelm intensified as I looked over my various projects and concerns.There were just too many loose ends in my life. I wasn't sure I could hold all of them together:
- Being available to help a daughter and granddaughter as they navigate new health issues.
- A house and property that demands attention.
- Several volunteer projects that I don't seem to have time for.
- Small side jobs that take up more time and energy than I anticipated.
- Bills and bookkeeping are sitting on my desk, demanding my attention.
As I sat musing with coffee in hand, gazing at the big oak tree outside our living room window, I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit.I knew He was going to drop a perspective adjustment into my tired brain.
He began with questions:
Who was before creation?
You were, Jesus. You said so in Colossians 1.
And who holds all things in creation together?
You do, Lord. You're the unseen force behind gravity, cell development, and everything seen and unseen. (I was expecting a science object lesson at this point.)
Are these people, projects, and responsibilities part of creation?
Yes, I guess they are. (This was no science lesson.)
So why are you trying to hold them all together? That's My job.Oh...
...Christ HOLDS all things together
Even all my loose ends.Even when those loose ends get all tangled together.SO...
How do you deal with overwhelm in under 5 minutes?
1. Remember: it's not your job to hold yourself together. That's the job description of Jesus—and you are NOT Him.2. Focus on Jesus and see what He is doing with only ONE thing in your tangled-up pile of loose ends.3. Do that one thing WITH Him.4. When that ONE THING is done, stop and take a soul break. Because rest is important to God. Resting FORCES you trust Him with all the loose ends.5. Then do the next thing you see Jesus doing.6. Rinse and repeat the above 5 steps.
Now, take a deep breath. Repeat after me:
I'm not responsible for having all my ducks in a row, hustling like everything depends on me, being super woman, or having all my loose ends wrapped up nicely in a bow. Jesus is responsible for all of these.I'm only responsible for doing one thing at a time WITH Him—not doing anything by myself. And I'm definately called to rest, not hustle, in Jesus.Yep, got it.He'll handle the loose ends. I'll do ONLY what He is doing.
Wow... overwhelm smashed in under 5 minutes.So tell me, what loose ends is Jesus holding together in your life right now?Hugs, SusanLooking for more? Check out Finding Peace When Life Doesn't Go as Planned.AND... If you liked this post, please share it with a friend.