How Can I Manage Stress?
CONVERSATIONS:
How do I manage Stress?
Eat lots of chocolate!! Haha! Kidding aside, we all face situations that can give us stress. But we can actually leverage stress and use it to our advantage, whether we are young or old.
Even the Bible says this: It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Lamentations 3:27
Think of stress like the weights at the gym. There’s a time to hold on to it and a time to let go. It can build your mental, emotional, spiritual muscles. It can also strengthen your adversity quotient.
Here are Three Positive Ways to Handle Stress:
1. Cast your cares. Don’t carry the weight of your burdens all day.
Just as you don’t carry the gym kettlebell all 24 hours of the day, there’s a time you have to put the weight of stress in the right place.
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55: 22
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6-7
Q. Based on this verse, why can we give God our worries and anxieties?
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2. Pray it in. Express it to God.
Develop the habit of chatting with God daily. Express in words, what’s on your mind.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7 (NLT)
What is causing you stress today? How will you experience od’s peace?
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Heavenly Father, today, I am anxious about
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3. Fill “You” Up.
Is your mind restless with worries and your heart anxious? As you give the Lord your specific cares, it’s time to fill your mind with a Godly way of thinking.
God is always in control. He has the answers to every situation. But we must learn to wait and ask the Holy Spirit for his wisdom and relief.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (NLT) Q. What “tight” situation has God helped you through in the past? Sometimes, keeping a “gratitude” journal reminds us of so many times God has delivered us before.
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PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, Today, I am anxious about __________________________. I acknowledge that I need your help. I need your Lordship over my life. Thank You for your love and concern even for the smallest details of my day.
Thank you for your promise that those who “are heavily laden” can cast their burdens on You. I surrender the weight of this burden/concern __________________________on You.
Thank You that as I put my faith and trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, your Holy Spirit will give me the answers and the right perspective about my concerns. Give me a listening ear and an obedient heart to see this situation from Your perspective. In Jesus name, amen.
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