Don't Let Stress Get the Best of You!

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely, it seems beyond strength;
Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul;
Pressed in the mind, till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and pressure by friends--
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into tasting the joy of the Lord;
Pressed into loving a Christlife outpoured.
-Author unknown

Okay, so we all know that the holiday season can be a period of major stress. No big secret there! The rubber-band gets stretched pretty thin. Maybe some of you are feeling the effects right now. I wouldn't be too surprised  to find out that a some of you have exchanged heated words with people you care about in the middle of holiday preparations.

In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if a few of you are actually dreading, instead of looking forward to, the next few weeks. Yes, for many of us, it’s a difficult time of year. But stress in not exclusive only to the holiday season. Stress can, and does occur at any time!

Let's do a quick inventory before we go on.  Do the following symptoms of stress apply to you?

1. Plans day unrealistically.
2. First to arrive, last to leave.
3. Always in a hurry.
4. Makes no plan for relaxation.
5. Feels guilty about doing anything other than work.
6. Sees unforeseen problem as a setback or disaster.
7. Is always thinking about several other things when working.
8. Feels need to be recognized, and overextends because of this.

If so, you just might be "stressed out!" Luckily, Paul gave us some great advice for handling stress in Philippians 4: 4-8. Why don't we break this information down piece by piece, and take a closer look at it.

First, he tells us to, "Rejoice in the Lord always, delight, gladden yourselves in Him. Again I say rejoice!" It takes a willful decision to sing and make melody in our hearts to be happy in the Lord. Whether you're feeling depressed, anxious, or bothered by some annoyance, you can exercise your ability to rejoice. Encourage yourself in the Lord by recounting all the good things you have been given through Christ: His strength, His wisdom, His identity, His love, His purposes, His power, His truth, His ability to overcome temptations, His perspectives, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His gentleness, His faithfulness, His self-control, and His plans for your life.

Second, let everyone know, perceive, and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). When our rights are yielded totally to the Lord we are not so quick to become irritated when things don't go our way. We become an example to others in our teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings and how the Lord delivers us from every problem. We can communicate in verbal and non-verbal ways that our God is greater than any problem.

Third, Paul tell us, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything. Let's learn to follow the faith, and the truth in the words of the famous hymn writer who sang, "Simply trusting everyday. Trusting in the homeward way. Even when my faith is small. Trusting Jesus that is all. Trusting as the moments fly. Trusting as the days go by. Trusting Him whatever befalls. Trusting Jesus that is all." Isaiah 26:3 says, "He will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on the Lord because He trusts in Him."

Fourth, and this is important. He tell us, "In every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." Prayer in the morning programs our thinking, attitudes, spirit, and actions to call on the Lord for everything. Not only when you're feeling worried, bothered, or fearful, but even when you're waiting for your next action; ask the Lord to fill you with all spiritual wisdom in every situation. Trust Him to allow you bear fruit in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God. Ask Him to help you to excel in love, faith, hope, and wisdom through every encounter.

Fourth, he says,  "And God’s peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from god and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Take time to contemplate  the many ways that the Lord calms the stormy seas in your heart, mind and relationships. Thank God specifically for the ways that He enables you to be an island of calm in the middle of  the pressures of life’s problems.

Sixth, he tell us that,  "Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things." Every good business takes regular inventories to see what resources are available to them. Without a recognition of one’s resources we can become timid, reactive, and uncertain of ability to cope.

Seventh, "Fix your minds on these things." Take time to memorize, study, read, discuss, and pray through the promises of God. Without a consistent habit of scriptural meditation we do not have the capacity in ourselves to live by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, Paul tells us to  "Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living of it and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you." Making consistent applications to the principles of scripture and the life of Jesus Christ will cement the stress reduction habits of a Christ like perspective. Without an honest effort to be doers of the word we may fall into the trap of being mere hearers who deceive themselves like the hypocritical Pharisees.

Stress can be very damaging not only to our well-being, but to our relationships with others. God understands our stress, and offers many different ways to help, if we allow Him to. I will close out this message by leaving you with another list of symptoms of stress overload.

1. Decision-making becomes difficult (both major and minor kinds).
2. Excessive daydreaming or fantasizing about "getting away from it all."
3. Increased use of cigarettes and/or alcohol.
4. Increased use of tranquilizers and/or other drugs to cope.
5. Thoughts trail off while speaking or writing.
6. Excessive worrying about all things.
7. Sudden outbursts of temper and hostility.
8. Paranoid ideas and mistrust of friends and family.
9. Forgetfulness for appointments, deadlines, dates.
10. Frequent spells of brooding and feeling of inadequacy.
11. Reversals in usual behavior.
-Keith W. Wehnert, Stress/Unstress, 1981, Augsburg

Take a close look at what's going on in your life. Stress is common to all of us. Some of us are able to handle it better than others. No matter what, don't let it get the better or you. God loves you, and offers the peace and calm that only He can bring. Why not take Him up on his offer?

Scripture: Philippians 4:6; John 14:27; Psalm 55:22; Romans 8:28; Psalm 118:5-6; Proverbs 12:25; James 1:12

Prayer: Dear Father, grant me the wisdom to understand that it is not what in front of me that matters, but the actions I take. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Kathy