Tag: overwhelmed

Finding Peace Despite a Chaotic Day

Starting off early, it already felt like one of those days. chaos in your world

The morning got off to a rocky start when a new tool I’d been hoping to use to save lots of time decided that it wasn’t going to work for me. Maybe work a little bit, but not as much as I was hoping.

And then I just had this weight hit me – the world is spinning out of control!

I’m nearly two months behind on half a dozen projects. Everyone on my team is running at full speed, which means I can’t give things away. I’m just not sure how to get anything more done.

Have you ever had one of those days?

I was talking with a friend the same afternoon about some of the things he was working through. Interestingly enough, I found these words coming out of my mouth. “You know, even when you feel like the world is spinning out of control, it’s still in HIS control.”

Wait a minute, where did that wisdom come from?

I didn’t have that confidence when I was facing my own chaos. Of course not, because it’s often easier to see clearly when you’re outside the situation. Imagine a tornado. From the outside of the funnel, it can almost be a thing of beauty. Outside the funnel, it seems like all things are calm. But inside the funnel, man, talk about spinning out of control!

The same night, I was reading in Joshua chapter 23 –

“One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised.”

When you’re facing a whirlwind or a mountain of activity that you aren’t sure how you’ll get through, remember this. When God is in control, He works everything out for your good. And despite the look of things (one versus a thousand?), He will bring the victory.

Drowning? Make a list!

Once in a while, I get in a place where there is a lot going on and I almost feel like I’m drowning.

I almost feel like I’m drowning.

There’s too much going on for me to even think about my priorities the way I would prefer to and I spend most of my time putting out fires. When I get in a place like this and I’m feeling completely overwhelmed, I have to stop and take time to make a list.

Making a list of what’s in my mind, almost like a brain dump

 

  • What is overwhelming me?
  • What is in the way?
  • What needs to be done?
  • What are the fires?

to do listWrite it all down even if it takes a whole sheet of paper.

Then take the list and pray over it.

Ask God what is most important. What needs doing now? What can use a band-aid (see my post re: band-aids here)? And what should I just plain ignore to move forward in other areas?

Making the list reduces the internal pressure

Even the act of making the list relieves stress because now it’s not swimming in my head, it’s on paper in front of me and I already feel like I’m making progress.

PS. If you try this and you’re still overwhelmed, sleep on it. And pray more the next morning.