Thanks for joining us as we continue to learn more life principles from Jesus and how they can reduce our stress. For more insights about reducing your stress see our previous blogs Are You Stressed Out? and the Truth about Stress here.
Pray
No matter how busy Jesus was He took time to pray.
…Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses, but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray. Luke 5:15-16
Crowds of people were coming and going so that Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest.” Mark 6:31
All the noise and pressures of the world and busyness brings stress. When was the last time you sat still in the quiet and talked to God about your concerns?
Your alarm clock doesn’t wake you with a warm good morning. Many of our days are bombarded with the latest news about our economic future, possible terrorist’s threats, health care, relationship crash, foreclosures, job losses and our own job security. No wonder people are stressed out.
Where do you go for solitude? God is the only one who really knows the full reality of your life and only One who has all the resources to comfort you and change things. So pray…
Relax
Many find it hard to relax today and can’t stop doing… If you’re a workaholic please know that rest and relaxation is not wasted time. Jesus took time off from the most important stuff of life. People’ lives were at stake. Is your job more important than Jesus’? He took time off, so should you. Unless we schedule time off we’ll always have something to do.
What recharges your batteries? Is it hitting balls, reading, exercise, hiking, what? Take time to enjoy life. Learn from God, He rested on the Sabbath. You don’t need to do errands on the one day of rest, whichever day that is for you. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man.” God knows what we need – he wants what’s best for us. Perhaps you might benefit from reading Tim Hansel’s book, When I Relax I Feel Guilty.
Take intentional steps to avoid and reduce stress that can drive you crazy. One of the greatest sources of stress is refusing to allow Jesus to be part of every detail of your life. Is there any area you’re keeping from Him that’s not submitted to His leadership? We aren’t meant to live apart from Christ; we’re meant to live in sync with Him.
You can be stressed out without even being busy. Maybe you’re fatigued, feeling like a failure, burned out, fearful, frustrated and living in constant stress? Here is a fantastic offer from two thousand years ago that’s still good today. “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Notice He did not say, I’ll give you more work, more rules and more regulations you can’t keep? NO!
What He did say is, “Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.” Matthew 11:29-30
Carrying a heavy load? Isn’t it time to transfer your load upon Jesus by aligning your life with His? It’s bearable and manageable. Accept His gracious offer
With Hope and Less Stress,
Mark
mark@startingoverworkshops.com
