Overcome feeling overwhelmed

Instructions for keeping your head above troubled waters

My mother made me join the swim team each summer during my elementary school years. Some kids love to swim, but not me. It felt like torture rolling out of bed at 6 a.m. on summer days and jumping in freezing cold water for the 16-lap warm-up.

I never was a good swimmer, but one day I was struggling especially. Around lap 12, I couldn’t go any farther. I remember the feeling of panic as my arms flailed and my lungs took in a gulp of water. The edges of consciousness blurred as I sunk to the bottom.

Fortunately, someone jumped in to save me. But I’ll never forget that feeling of overwhelming helplessness.

There are moments when I feel like that kid again, and I know you have too. I meet people all the time who say that they feel like they’re in over their heads. “I’m drowning,” they say, “just trying to keep my head above water.” The combination of hyper-busy schedules with no margins, excessive worry, and unexpected crises can leave one feeling fretful and in despair.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

(John

14:27)

We shouldn’t think that Jesus is some kind of genie-in-the-bottle, summoned to give us peace whenever we want it. Instead, Jesus taught us the kind of life that would bring us peace. It wouldn’t protect us from chaos and disruption, but instead would give us a life that would not ultimately be shaken.

How can you experience that kind of life?

First, build on something solid. Like a home, every life needs a foundation. Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24) When we hear his words and put them into practice, we make a life of peace for ourselves. Refusing to worry, ceasing from judging others, telling the truth (all of these are found in the Sermon on the Mount) — these actions naturally incline toward a life of peace within and with one’s neighbor.

Second, be a peacemaker. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Worship

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / Worship 8:30 am - Chapel

10:50 am - Sanctuary / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Episcopal

ST. AUGUSTINE’S /1302 W. Kiest Blvd / staugustinesoakcliff.org

A diverse, liturgical church with deep roots in Oak Cliff and in the ancient faith / Holy Eucharist with Hymns Sunday 10:15 am

Methodist

GRACE UMC / Diverse, Inclusive, Missional Sunday School for all ages, 9:30 am / Worship, 10:50 am 4105 Junius St. / 214.824.2533 / graceumcdallas.org

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF OAK CLIFF / oakcliffuu.org

Sun. Worship 10am / Wed. Meditation 7pm / 3839 W. Kiest Blvd.

Inclusive – Justice Seeking – Spirited – Eclectic – Liberal – Fun!

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

PROMISE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST / www.promiseucc.org

Worship: 10:30 am Sundays / 214-623-8400 / 2527 W. Colorado Blvd.

An Open and Affirming Church where everyone is welcome!

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Be a “maker” (craftsman, artist, creator) of peace in your family, work and community friends (even among your enemies).

Third, pray in all things. This is one of the most challenging practices of the life of faith, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Paul wrote, “… in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) The promise to follow is that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.

There’s hope for the overwhelmed. The hardest thing to believe is that Someone is nearby to jump in when we hit bottom.

Brent McDougal is pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. The Worship section is a regular feature underwritten by Advocate Publishing and by the neighborhood business people and churches listed on these pages. For information about helping support the Worship section, call 214.560.4202.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy As To Children

Cliff Temple Child Development Center admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the Center.

Cliff Temple Child Development Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other Center administered programs.

Bishop Dunne Catholic School

Contact: Charleen Doan at 214.339.6561 ext. 4020 or admission@bdcs.org

A co-educational, college preparatory school serving students in grades 6-12. We provide a strong faith and valuebased education with high academic standards, encouraging all students to achieve their full potential. Our curriculum emphasizes individualized attention, and is constantly at the forefront of technology integration through the use of laptops, ebooks, and our Online Education Program. Additionally, we provide a full range of extracurricular activities ranging from athletics, to the arts, to clubs and service organizations.

Holy Trinity Catholic School

3815 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas 214-526-5113, htcsdallas.org For more than 100 years, Holy Trinity Catholic School, has been committed to the religious, intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of each student. This commitment is carried out in a nurturing atmosphere with an emphasis on social awareness, service to others, and religious faith in the Catholic tradition. The Immaculate Heart Program at Holy Trinity School was initiated to fully realize our school’s mission of developing the whole child by meeting the needs of one of the most underserved and underperforming groups in catholic schools, children with dyslexia.

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

4019 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas 75224/ 214.331.5139 / www.saintspride.com

At St. Elizabeth of Hungary, our fundamental task is the education of the whole child -- combining learning with faith, Catholic doctrines and moral teachings. We introduce all PK3-8th Grade students to the integrated ways of STEM. This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum. Over the past 10 years, 95% of St. Elizabeth 8th graders were accepted to their first choice high school. Join us for an informational school tour and see for yourself how easy it is to become a Saint! Call 214.331.5139 for information.

Tyler Street Christian Academy

915 W. Ninth St. Dallas, TX 75208 / 214.941.9717 / tsca.org Located just a few blocks from Bishop Arts, Tyler Street Christian Academy is a nondenominational, private Christian school. With an 11:1 student/ teacher ratio, pre-school through 12th grade students receive one-on-one attention in a loving, Christ-centered environment. For the past 45 years, Tyler Street Christian Academy has educated by inspiring students to love learning, strengthening them with Christ-like character and Biblical foundations for living, and encouraging them to pursue their dreams and callings. It is our objective to produce graduates who are intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually mature. We place a high value on servant-leadership, and strive to instill in our students a sense of responsibility for their community.

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