Are you being pushed in means and ways beyond your limits? Is getting by with life harder and harder each day? Are you simply tired?
You most probably are and have been at some point that’s why this topic appealed to you. Let me first encourage you that even Jesus experienced stress. And even if looking around, others seem to just be having the time of their life, living la vida loca and dancing in the moonlight; in this human race, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Allow me to share with you 4 ways God impressed upon my heart as ways on how to approach stress:
Examine Yourself. Go back to basics. Who are you today and who were you before?
Before you resort to quitting your job, are you sure you have completely learned the ropes? Can you confidently say that you’re a better manager, consultant or cook now than when you first started this job? Would you be leaving a legacy to those people who witnessed this phase in your life?
In terms of character, are you in line with God’s purpose for this occurrence? Are you being salt and light to the people around you? Would Jesus be pleased with your reactions? Keep in mind, your response is your responsibility.
Spend Quality time with God. Pamper yourself in His Presence.
Meditate upon His Word and character. The Bible tells us that Jesus spends a lot of quality, alone time with His Father “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16
During His most stressful time, when He was about to be crucified to pay the price for your sins and mine, he prayed earnestly and unceasingly that His sweat turned into blood.
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” – Luke 22:44
The personal relationship you have with your Savior is vitally important as we see:
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go” – Abraham Lincoln
“I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it” – John Wesley
Face Your Giant. (From the book “Be All You Can Be” by John Maxwell)
David, being steadfast in his faith, grounded by the purpose to defend his Lord and King ready with his sling and stones, faced Goliath alone. Without the applause from the crowd or receiving encouragements from them but instead criticisms and ridicule.
When life pushes you around, be prepared to be alone. You have to put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
The crowd’s eyes will always be watching how you respond as a child of God.
Remember Love is Patient. (From the book, ‘A Love Worth Giving’ by Max Lucado)
Above everything else, beyond all that was said about love, love is first and foremost, patient.
Only when you have fully understood the insurmountable amount of debt you have and how God painfully yet willingly paid for it, can you extend a little patience… patience to wait for the results of a big exam, patience to wait for the return call of job interview, patience to work with a nerve-wrecking boss/ colleague or patience to just smile at the next reckless bus driver in Edsa.
God has to be your power source. “We love because He first lvoed us.” – 1John 4:19
And then you can extend patience as you practice Ephesians 5:1-2, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.
And claim Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
We know that these things are easier said than done. But I urge you to take that leap of faith to follow through the tips recommended and see how it works for you. Perhaps the Mighty Orchestrator purposely brought you to this site that you may come to Him, where the “yoke is easy and the burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30
“Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended upon man.”-Francis J. Spellman
Do your part. Be stretched for His Glory… then let go! Let God be God!
Thanks, I really need this
You’re welcome. I praise God it spoke to you… 🙂
You’re welcome Ana! May He fill your heart with His peace and comfort.
WoW!!! :’) PRAISE be to GOD who inspires you to write this!! Ummm, GOD spoke to me the second time around thru this blog. . what it truly means to intercede for those you love. . to forcefully spend more quality time on bended knees with the LORD. . Thank you for uplifting me once again to fulfill what GOD wants me to do. GOD blesses you indeed!!! 🙂
Yes ach! He woke me up pa talaga just to share this. Praise Him! Amen, prayers are powerful. Thank you so much for your encouragements 🙂 God bless you too!
You are a blessing and joy to me ach! I’m glad to have blessed your heart. May His love for us always be reflected in our walks.
love is patient , ugh. haha. tamaan ako :p thanks for this aps (: super timing i stumbled to this (: (and yay! you wrote again!)
Praise God it spoke to you too haze! 🙂 (and yay! you wrote again!)–> hehe! galing ni God eh!
You’re welcome haze! I’m really glad it blessed you! Praise Him 😀
Wow! I’ve come to realize through my job that I do not handle pressure well. I never had a problem with it before, but then again I’ve never had a “real” job. I am reminded that nothing is too hard for God when I look at past victories. He will bring me victory in this area of my life as well. Thank you for writing this. Though these are things we already know, it’s just very helpful at times for us to go back to the basics. Sometimes the basics get lost in the scenery of this Christian walk. Sometimes we have issues because we have lost sight of the basics. This was really insightful!
Indeed Tesha! He promised us a life filled with joy and abundance. We ought to claim it and do our part in terms of surrendering 🙂 You’re welcome and thank you also for taking time to read it. Yes, the fundamentals and basics of life are most of the time overlooked and forgotten, yet it’s the solution in our complicated lives. 😉
Also taking certain tasks one at a time is a must. One cannot solve all problems by doing it all at the same time. No one is perfect, upon failure, a person suffers stress as it is the sorrow, despair, anxiety of not having it done in accordance to one’s satisfaction. Meditation to one’s self and by God’s guidance one can conquer the stress within us.
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Good Day 🙂
Yena
Yes, Thank you Yena for sharing. God bless you!