What do you do when you're overwhelmed? You mind is full, spinning with so many to-dos on your list that you don't even know where to start nor are you sure that you are going to remember them all. If you write them all down you run the risk of (A) forgetting some as you think of others or (B) overwhelming yourself even further at the length of the list.
Well today, I find myself in exactly this position. I have so much to do and so little time to do it in (although I'm not even completely sure what time I have available). So what am I trying to do, in hopes (since we hope in things unseen) that I will find some semblance of peace and order in my brain... I'm trying to let go of it all.
Today, "all of it" is to much for me. Today, I can't even think straight enough to know where to begin or end. I'm begin buried in worries and bombarded by tasks and frankly there is a very childish part of me that wishes to curl up in a ball. I want to be small so I can't be found by the worries or attacks or lists of things to do. I want to just hide.
But where will I hide?
Well, I'll take one from David and and hide in Him. (phrases in italics are added)
Psalm 61:1-5
Hear my cry, Oh God; listen to my prayers. From the ends of the earth I call to you (because you feel so far away from me), I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I (perhaps Jesus). For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever (it will be so good to come home, Abba) and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him (a good reminder). He alone is my rock and my salvation (I wonder if David had to say this twice to remind his head and then his heart of the truth of these words. I know who he is but sometimes I forget and sometimes I can't "feel" it, but this truth, PRAISE GOD is not dependent on my memory or my feelings); he is my fortress, I will never be shaken (and this is where I can claim my truth and stand in the light because the one in me is greater than the one in the world).
Psalm 62:5-8, 11-12
Find rest, O my soul, ( yes please), in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation (again in the midst of battle, cling to the truth, i guess this is one of those things that you can't say too much); he is my fortress, i will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God (and we release what we think depends on us); he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people (for he is trustworthy - I almost feel like the truth, which was said 3 times and in Hebrew culture something said three times means that it is as complete as it can be, has sunken in and now it is time to share the truth outside of oneself. Who would keep this good news to himself?); pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:11
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong (again, thank goodness for that), and that you, O Lord, are loving (I don't deserve your love, but you take great joy in giving it because of who you are not because of who I am).
Ahhhh, God is good. I will now go and sit with this truth, repeating it until my mind and heart are resting in him.
I absolutely have to make a list to remember them all. Then I start with the most time-sensitive projects. Then I do the easiest ones, so that the list shrinks dramatically. That makes me feel better. Then, once I'm in a groove and feel like I'm accomplishing a ton, I do the hardest ones last.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I used your reference to Psalm 62:11 as a jumping off point for a brief note on my blog. http://ifistand.tumblr.com/post/579827516/partial-reblog-from-lf-concerning-psalm-62-11-12
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