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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me deal with problems step by step when I'm feeling overwhelmed! Amen.

"If a friend hurts you," Jesus said, "talk to her about it alone. If that doesn't work, tell someone else. If she won't listen, tell the church; and if she still won't pay attention, ignore her like a stranger. Pray together and God will listen, because wherever people gather in my name, I'm with them."

Any problem can seem overwhelming. Especially when you're starting the new school year and you're faced with so many new things, it's easy to start panicking: "It's all too much! There are things and people I don't like! How will I get through it all?"

This week's Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20) shows the way: one step at a time.

The Gospel story is about a different situation: two friends arguing. One has terribly hurt the other, and it seems that the hurt friend is overwhelmed and struggling to deal with it.

Jesus doesn't say, "Ignore it." He doesn't say, "Quit being friends," either. He says, "Talk to her."

When you're overwhelmed, pretending it's not happening won't help. Talk to people! Tell people you trust that there's a kid or teacher who's giving you a hard time, that you're scared about a class or that you miss a friend who's in a different classroom now.

Some problems aren't easily solved. Jesus told the woman arguing with her friend that, sometimes, you have to get other people involved. A third person may help both sides see things more clearly. If that didn't work, Jesus suggested talking to people from her church. Some problems need the adults in charge to step in.

Praying about it is important, too. God is there for you.

There are times when you're overwhelmed and you have to make a decision: changing classrooms, quitting the team, stepping back from a friendship that's become hurtful. That's OK. Even Jesus said there are times when the only choice left is to "treat someone like a stranger."

Everyone gets overwhelmed. It's not surprising if September, with all its changes, is your month to go through that. Take it one step at a time and pray your way through it. Jesus had some pretty good ideas![[In-content Ad]]

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