Stressed Much?

My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

~Psalm 121:2

 

Have you noticed how life seems to get overwhelming at times?  Have you noticed the pattern for this process?  I'm not sure if I have the whole process figured out, because it can be very subtle, but I have spent time trying to analyze the process in which I become overwhelmed.

 

First, an issue arises.  Usually this issue is not of vital importance, just something I need to accomplish at some point, so I put it on my mental "To Do" list and move on to the more pressing issues.

 

Second, by the time I have gone through part of my day, I have had more and more of the seeming innocuous issues tucked away on my mental "To Do" list and my mind is beginning to get cluttered with these items.  Sadly, my mind beginning to show signs of wear and tear is having difficulty keeping all the items on the list in clear focus.

 

Third, I really should have written some of these things down.  By now, I am having a huge brain belch, and can barely remember my own name, much less all the things I needed to accomplish today.  And because I am proud of my mind, I have not asked for help to get anything accomplished and now I am frustrated to the point of anger because I can't remember everything pertinent (although I can remember the lyrics to a song I learned in kindergarten with remarkable clarity).

 

And the cycle continues its downward spiral until I begin to feel like Job (hit with one blow after another after another with no recovery).  Depression sets in because I am so tired and angry with myself for being such a proud idiot that I didn't write anything down or ask for help.

 

When we reach the point where we feel overwhelmed...we may cry out to God for help, but do we sit by and wait for Him to drop the answer in our lap, or do we ask the people God has brought into our lives for help?  It is uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing to ask someone else for help with a personal issue, but think about this: God did not stop with Adam!  God has spent a long time putting more of us on this big blue marble, AND He has spent a lot of time getting us to the point where our lives cross.  I am convinced that our lives cross for a reason and sometimes for a season.  The reason: so we can either be of help to someone; someone can be of help to us; or we can mutually help each other.

 

Something I have told countless deputies and personnel at the Sheriff's Department: "If you don't tell me, I won't know.  If I don't know, I can't help."

 

Think About That!