Don't Absorb the Panic

Graduations

birthdays

spring shows

concerts

end of school year parties

tripsplansresponsibilitiesfunthenextsteptheunknown 

Anyone else feel like panic is just crouching outside of their door, waiting for the most inopportune moment to attack and leave you the puddle mess that you are "this close" to dissolving in to? 

I don't know about you but this time of year is crazy for me. It's interesting that spring time is a sign of new life, but often new life must begin after an ending. The paradox of life and death that is glaringly obvious in the fury of spring time is an emotional roller coaster all by itself. When you add on top of it your responsibilities and the panic of world and the panic of the people around you, it's hard not to become saturated with panic. 

But panic is the opposite of peace. 

So how do we keep from absorbing the panic around us into our very pores? 

1. Do not substitute the effective for the active. 

  When you have millions of things to do and what feels like only a few minutes in which to do them, taking 30 minutes to sit on your back porch seem indulgent.

 Irresponsible even. 

However, 

this is where you find your peace.

 It is not a time to "unwind" or relax but a time that you can come before your Father in heaven and listen to what He has to say to you through His Word and His Holy Spirit.  

Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your law, 

and nothing can make them stumble."

   If you're having trouble finding time for this, cut out the unnecessaries. You know, like Facebook and Instagram and TV. They aren't worth exchanging the glory of God for the entertainment of the moment.

2. Be honest 

    With yourself. 

With your friends. 

With your family. 

With your Lord. 

Admit that panic is at your front door and ask for help. Pray and be prayed over. It may sound simple but many times part of the added pressure is your need to seem like you have everything under control.

News flash

You don't and you never did. 

But God is in control of everything and there is beautiful freedom in admitting that you need help. 

Along with this is learning to say no. If you really can not add one more thing, then it is better for you to say no then to say yes and do it poorly or doing it well until you burn out. Be honest. 

3. Do not live there

   While you are being honest with yourself and with others, it can be easy to engage in a joint pity party where we are all united over the fact that we are stressed out and freaking out. Do not live there. 

Talk about what is going on. Admit when you are overwhelmed. And then take it to the Rock that is higher than you. He is the only one that can actually do anything about it. 

4. Give thanks

      Why are you overwhelmed? Kids? Work? School? Trips? Family? Opportunities? 

Sounds like a whole lot of things to be thankful for to me. 

Even if the things are trials and suffering we can rejoice for we know that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:3-5). 

In everything we give thanks. 

I wrote this for me more than anybody. 

I learn by sharing with others and I pray that others learn from what I share. 

Let's help each other to not absorb the panic of life but rather to radiate the peace of God. 

Because by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ we have peace with God. 

And that makes all the difference.