How to be at peace when you become overwhelmed

People often note that they get very busy and rather overwhelmed around the holidays.  Less noticed is the sense of being overwhelmed as the end of an academic year approaches.  What can we do in the face of this feeling?  I am not a psychologist, but I would like to offer some advice.
First, pray.  On a physical level this is good for you.  Learn to quiet your mind and seek God’s voice.  It is OK to present all your fear, busyness, fatigue, sense of inadequacy for what you face.  These are precisely the kinds of things you would share with a close friend.  Isn’t Jesus a close friend?  Don’t we seek greater intimacy with Him?
Second, more on prayer.  I find it very helpful to say this little prayer, “Lord, may my every success and every failure bring glory to you.”  Mother Theresa said that it is our duty to be faithful, not successful.  Maybe what God needs is for me to seemingly fail.  Maybe my struggle or messing something up somehow advances God’s plan.  St. Paul says that he willingly boasts of his weakness, because it is in weakness that strength comes to fruition.  We see this when Jesus became a man, and suffered and died; seemingly the ultimate defeat.  Yet, we understand that death is not the end of the story.
Third, make a list of all the things you need to do.  Quite often when I make such a list I find that it was not as daunting as my stress led me to believe.  Or, I might find that some of the things on my list can wait or be there may be someone who can help me with that particular task.
Finally, find joy in the busyness.  Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I remind myself that the day will come when I will not be tasked with any of the things that I am currently.  When I take a step back I realize that these are the good old days that, if I am blessed, I will look back on fondly.
Be at peace!
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org