I'm stressed.

Been struggling with stress and anxiety for a few weeks now. Need to almost daily pray and ask for God's peace that transcends all understanding in order to fight the waves of panic and feeling overwhelmed as I think about all that I need to get done in order to finish my dissertation this year.

My current chapter, the-chapter-that-is-taking-forever, is actually going well. I think I *finally* figured out what it's all about and am making good progress towards (hopefully) submitting it next week. Yet even despite that good news, I find myself sleepless at night, waking up with my neck and back sore from being so stiff. I think about chapter 4 (not written) and chapter 1 (needs to be completely rewritten) and my introduction (not written), and revising everything, and the bibiography, and the formatting, and changing to MLA style, and etc etc etc.

I want to apply the Sabbath lesson that we've been going through in Community Group; I also want to get through this very busy season without pulling my hair out. Is it possible to go through a very intense and crazy time without being overwhelmed by it all? That's what I'm striving and praying for--to seek and experience God's presence and peace even in the midst of what feels like too much for me to handle. I can't, but I know God can.