Mon, Jul 10th - 8:12PM

Stress Reduction

Stress Reducers

Question:

I'm under pressure at work and pressure at home, pressure to succeed, pressure to provide for my family, and pressure to be a good parent and spouse��"pressure from every side. So often I just don't know how to cope! What can I do?

Answer:

Stress is becoming an almost inescapable part of modern life"almost, because there are things one can do to avoid getting under undue stress or living in a state of constant stress. While some of the following tips apply to everyone"getting sufficient exercise or eating the right kinds of foods, for example"others on this list can give you a special edge because they bring Jesus into the equation in a very real and personal way.

Jesus can be your counselor, coach, business manager, intercessor, executive secretary, personal trainer, confidant, and best friend. In short, He is everything you need to contend with the stress that has become part of modern living and to come through a winner!

Tips for Stress Reduction

Pray. Make quiet time with Jesus a daily habit.

Go to bed on time; get enough sleep.

Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

Say no to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

Delegate tasks to others who are capable.

Laugh.

Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time, when possible; don't lump the hard things all together.

Concentrate on things you have direct control over��"yourself and your habits"rather than on things that you have little or no control over.

Get organized so everything has its place.

Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a valid concern, find out what God would have you do about it. If you're worried about something that you can't or shouldn't do anything about, then put it in His hands.

Live within your budget; don't buy things on credit if you don't have to.

Take one day at a time.

Have backups "an extra car key in your wallet; an extra house key buried in the garden; extra postage stamps; extra batteries for your flashlight, cell phone, etc.; back up your computer files.

Carry God's Word with you to read while waiting or during spare moments.

Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.

Use the time while driving or riding in your car to listen to Bible-based cassettes, CDs, or MP3s that can help improve your quality of life.

Keep a folder of favorite Scriptures or inspirational readings on hand.

Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a hearty "Thank You, Jesus!"

Slow down.

Don't take on new work until you have taken care of timely matters that are still pending.

Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

Get enough exercise.

Simplify and declutter your life.

Every night before bed, think of at least one thing you're grateful for that came out of your day.

Develop a forgiving attitude. (Most people are doing the best they can.)

Be kind to unkind people. (They probably need it the most.)

Eat right.

Thank God for what's coming, because He won't send you anything that you and He can't handle together.

Mon, Jul 10th - 9:13AM

Checking in

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to
pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door
opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was shabby and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, bowed his head, then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he
knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

The minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear and he decided to
stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour and
lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. "I stay
only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here
talking to the Lord, This is what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY
I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish told Jim that was fine. He told the man
he was welcome to come and pray just anytime.

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks." and he hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold
heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears
flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.

As more days passed without Jim he began to worry some. At the
factory, he asked about him and learned that he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill. The
week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His
smiles, a joy contagious changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad even though
no flowers, calls or cards came, not one visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed and voiced the nurse's concern:

No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while
everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see.

He sits right down, takes my hand, Leans over and says to me:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU P RAY, I
THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY."

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true
friends will leave footprints in your heart.

May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over
you. But for those of us who are already His, He not only holds
us in the palm of His hand, but has engraved our names there,
and we are continually in His sight (Isaiah 49:16)

Yes, I do love God. He is my source of existence and Savior.

He keeps me functioning with a song in my heart each and every
day. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing
but with Him "I can do all things through Christ that
strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Don't be so busy counting your troubles,that you forget to count
your Blessings!!!!

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

"In prayer; expect setbacks, but refuse retreat."

Richard Eastman