Finding Peace When You're Overwhelmed

In the last month we have read endless accounts of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. I have a sister in Houston and I live in the Dallas area, two cities who have taken in around 50,000 evacuees between them. The requests for cash donations, supplies, and volunteer help are so numerous that it seems impossible that the needs will ever be filled. When it gets so big I begin to feel like I just want to bury my head and ignore all of it. You know, "I can't possibly fix it all, so I won't even try to do anything."These times are when I meditate on my favorite Bible verse: "Be still and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10.I tend to have a very busy and active mind that doesn't always comply when I want it to ramp down a notch! I do mental gymnastics most of the time, including thinking about what I am doing now, what I will do next, and what I should add to the list for tomorrow!That is on a normal day. Throw in an unexpected need and overwhelm begins to rear its ugly head! So what do I do?I get still and remember that God is God. He is infinitely bigger than me and can do infinite things through me, if I will pause and ask him to. How do I pause during a really full day? It isn't always easy. Sometimes it has to be in the car, while I'm driving (and NOT talking on a cell phone!). Or I may just force myself to sit down in a chair for five minutes and do nothing. Just be still. My favorite thing is to take a walk or call a good friend. The main idea is to stop whirling and stand still long enough for the air to settle around you.Know what else works great to settle your mind? Do something nice to encourage someone else. You don't know how big the smallest kindness can be for someone who needs it. When we moved into our home in July, I was feeling sad about leaving behind our wonderful neighbors of 14 years. But within only a few days, the neighbor across the street came over to introduce himself and the lady next door brought us a fresh-baked loaf of strawberry chocolate chip bread. Those gestures meant the world to us that week!So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, take a minute and just be still. If you will, the answers will come to you.