Kevin’s Conversations: Sensory Overload

Last week I wrote about the recent ugliness that took place in Charlottesville.  This week we have the horrific disaster of Hurricane Harvey that continues to get worse and worse.  A bit previous we have had the terrorist attack in Barcelona and Typhoon Hato and North Korea firing more test missiles and more high level resignations/firings in the Trump administration and O.J. Simpson gaining parole and so and so on.  There is a constant stream of news entering our consciousness, some of it more consequential than others.  And much of it seemingly leaving us feeling distraught, whether from natural disaster or man-made calamity.

It is important at times that we are aware of these things and sometimes even engage within them, whether the actual event itself or the culminating aftermath ensuing the circumstance. Certainly Texas and the surrounding areas are greatly in need of help and people taking action right now. 

Other times we need a break. 

We just cannot take it all in or preoccupy ourselves with every situation that vies for our consideration.  We all have our own personal circumstances that contend for our needed attention, and then there is everything else happening in the world that comes into our field of view.

We have so much incredible access to all the world’s information and knowledge and data these days.  Along with that, we often get almost instant notification of news throughout the world, much of it not being good.  And our hearts and minds get taken for a constant ride.

There are times we are compelled to take initiative, to get involved, to provide insight, to provide help.  Compelled by God and/or by our sense of doing what is right.  Sometimes compelled by our own compulsion to get involved in and/or adding our opinion to everything.

Be still, and know that I am God.  Ps. 46:10

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matt. 11:28

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.  Ps. 23:1-3a

I relay these Scriptures as much for my own benefit as yours… and we can find many more like them.  I am not good at multi-tasking a few activities at once, let alone taking on a million different things and life can sometimes feel overwhelming, even when some of the things going on are good. Whether it is taking a moment among the midst of our craziness or in taking an intentional structured break, it sure helps to remember where we can find rest and peace.

We were not built to take on everything in the world.  We were not designed to handle all the world’s activity and to process all of its woes.  We were not made to do it all on our own.  May we remember to call on the Lord and find rest and peace in Him.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:7