My Soul To Keep

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Never has there been a time like this, when dollars have dictated so many lives. Almost everywhere we go and everybody we see, in some form or fashion, the subject of money pops up. Even if not directly stated, it's indirectly or casually related.

From all indications, the money chase is driving many of us half-crazy. It is heartbreaking to withness countless individuals from various walks of life who are selling their souls, trying to gain a dollar.

Perhaps, we who are called by God's name should take out time and examine ourselves. We say we have hidden God's Word in our hearts, but the evidence of our financial lifestyles doesn't line up with the fundamentals of God's Word.

Money is one of the greatest stress-inducers in the world. Honestly, who, among us, is not needing more money here and more money there? And as long as we encounter one money issue after the other, we don't stand a chance of controlling our stresses.

Praise God, He gives hope! Pray about money matters and be open to God's guidance and His prescription for handling stressful finances.

"With God all things are possible." Surely, this includes money matters. Determine to apply God's Word to financial battles and reduce stresses.


Peace I leave with you . . .

IT'S YOUR CHOICE

Nine times out of ten when something didn't work out well, my mother would say, "I should have followed my first mind!"

Her "first mind?" How many minds did she get?

The more mama thought about her unfavorable outcome, the more stressed she became. She'd go so far as to say, "I'm so mad at myself." Then she'd mope around the house, repeating that same thing over and over. Sound familiar?

We all can agree that a great many of our stresses are self-inflicted. At one time or another, each of our stress levels have skyrocketed due to bad choices we have made.

Believe it or not, stress is highly dependent on our personal choices. In his book, Success Is Not An Accident, author Tommy Newberry reveals it this way, "More than any other single factor, you are where you are today because of the choices you have made."

OUCH! That hurts. But it's so true.

Yes, ma'am; Yes, sir. Choices do have consequences. And many times when we don't follow a sound mind, we end up just like Mama . . . upset with ourselves and all stressed out.

For the sake of our health, wealth, and total well-being, we must seek to make wise choices. We must intelligently decide to do what's best for us, and gladly kick what feels good to us to the curb.

Throughout life we will be confronted with choices. They're inevitable. Nonetheless, if we are determined to reduce our stresses, we must learn to discern good choices from bad ones.

In the book of Deuteronomy (30:19), God presents a super choice: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life . . ."

Peace I Leave with you . . .

Worry Warts

Back in the old days in small country towns, we were most times behind-the-times.

People often had weird-looking black spots and knots to surface on different parts of their bodies--their hands, fingers, arms, necks, and faces.

When one or more of us children mustered up enough nerves and asked some of the old-timers what those little black things were, we were told they were "worry warts."

Our little southern selves had no idea that the grown-ups were contributing to our country-bumpkin mentalities. So naturally, we started believing that "worry warts" grew on people and looked incredibly gross.

"When you go around worrying about stuff all the time," they cautioned us, "you're liable to get worry warts on your body. You see, worry is real bad for you."

As fictitious as our ancestors advice was on one hand, they were right on target about worry being bad. Surely, we're all aware in dealing with stress that worry tops the chart. And whether we "can't help it" or not, worrying is bad news.

Beyond that, worry is a sin. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus specifically tells us "Do not worry." Anytime Jesus tells us to not do a thing and we do it anyway, it is a _ _ _?

So now, let's bring it all out in the open. Who's walking around worried? Are you? Truth be told, a couple of days here and there, I feared looking in the mirror. Feared there would be "worry warts" all up and down and crossways my body.

For stress-survivors one of the highest recommended ways to banish worry is by prayer and supplication to God. Stop right where you are, sit down, and tell God all about (not that He doesn't already know).

When we offer our genuine faith to the Lord, and allow Him to comfort and control us, things supernaturally begin to change.

Peace I leave with you . . .

Pushing The Stress Button

Have any ideas about the stress button? Well, it's quite similar to the belly button, except you can't really see it. Yet, it has a profound relation to the body. Only thing, instead of aiding us, it's more prone to aggravate us.

The stress button is that thing on the inside that causes us to completely loose control, when something or someone catches us off guard and pushes us to the limit with some exaggerated drama or unpleasant surprise.

Just the other day, someone pushed my stress button, and I immediately "spazzed" out. Realizing I'd slipped into a serious stress mode, I backed away from it all and engaged in a quick prayer.

Know what happened after that? I politely grabbed a thick slice of cake and dumped a mound of vanilla ice-cream on top. Then I sat down and feasted on sweet stuff.

Every now and then, we have to stop and seek our inner peace. Whether whispering a heartfelt prayer, singing a soft melody, basking in a good book, or simply enjoying an out-of-the-ordinary treat, take time to nourish your soul.

For the umpteenth time, I had to remind myself that life is a challenge, and how we deal with whatever comes our way determines our failure or our success.

After all, our attitudes can make or break us. And God's Word in Proverbs 23:7 assures us, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . . ."


Peace I leave with you . . .

Count Your Many Stresses

When was the last time you took a "self" stress test? Can't remember? Let's take the time out and do one now. It won't take long, I promise.

Jot down your answers of "a, b, or, c" for these ten short questions.

1. You have trouble sleeping
__a) Never
__b) Once in a while
__c) Every night

2. You are best described as
__a) Calm and collected
__b) Sometimes grouchy
__c) A basket case

3. When you get upset you
__a) Go for a walk
__b) Complain to a friend
__c) Eat everything in sight

4. When you're stuck in traffic you
__a) Think constructive thoughts
__b) Look out the windows
__c) Pound on the steering wheel

5. You consider your job as
__a) A blessing
__b) A paycheck
__c) A curse

6. You feel overwhelmed
__a) Rarely ever
__b) Quite frequently
__c) All the time

7. In your free time you
__a) Enjoy hobbies
__b) Perform chores
__c) Never get any free time

8. You commit to exercise
__a) On a daily basis
__b) Two or three times a week
__c) Only during Christmas shopping

9. Your normal weight is
__a) Ideal
__b) Okay
__c) Depressing

10.Your personal relationships are
__a) Enjoyable
__b) Tolerable
__c) Sickening

After you've completed your answers, go ahead and rate yourself. Add one point for every "a." Two points for every "b." And three points for every "c."

Now count your stresses. If you scored between
10 - 15 Your stress level is minimal
16 - 22 Your stress level is moderate
23 - 30 Your stress level is high

Surely, we noticed with our above answers that stress can creep into our lives in many different ways. And when our stress levels become too high, it's imperative that we find ways to reduce it. Otherwise, we might find ourselves facing some serious issues.

If you ask me, these are the times we need to implement the Malcolm-X measures: "By whatever means necessary."

Peace I leave with you . . .

Listen!

It has been suggested that the association of stress is evil in every way. For example, consider the word, itself. Take a moment and say it aloud. STRESS.

Listen to yourself as you pronounce it. Say it again--slowly and distinctively--STRESS.

You hear it? That "Ssssss"? Did you hear yourself hiss? That's right, you hissed. Now is that evil or what?

You do remember who's (or what's) notorious for hissing, don't you? Exactly! So you already know that anytime you hear a hissing sound, evil is lurking somewhere near.

Of course, the "hissing" is only a prelude to what can actually happen. Almost identical to that of the cunning belly-crawler, the sound itself doesn't cause any damage. Perhaps, alarm--but no real harm. With both evils, stress and the snake, the hissing we hear is simply a warning.

The dreadful problems in either case begins at the point of contact. Whenever we allow cruel forces to latch on to us, whether seen or unseen, we suffer the consequences.

People everywhere know the danger of poisonous snakes. But how many are equally aware of the hazards of stress? For certain, people tramping through possible snake areas take precautions to protect themselves. So why wouldn't people stumbling around in stressful environments seek measures to protect themselves?

The Bible says, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." Let's seek some truth concerning our health and well-being.

"Ssssss."

Peace I leave with you . . .