LET'S DE-STRESS AND DANCE . . .

                           

". . . David danced before the Lord with all his might;"

2 Samuel 6:14

There comes a time when almost every stress survivor gains victory over stress. Our de-stress is such a welcomed relief, until we're inclined to do AS DAVID DID.

In his gladness, "David danced before the Lord." Imagine David doing a dance of praise and experiencing a great de-stress. Whether before or after overcoming stress, let's de-stress and dance! Let's try this: steal away to a private place, turn on some peppy music, and dance . . . dance . . . dance.

Dancing is, no doubt, an incredible fun and relaxing way to de-stress. When combating daily stress, exercise can do wonders for the mind and body. Along with reducing our mental stress, dancing releases tension from tight muscles.

See, as we dance (exercise), our bodies release tiny molecules known as endorphins. These endorphins act just like a drug and gives us an amazing high. A "happy" high -- plus a noticeable feeling of well-being. 

The more we exercise, the more endorphins we release; and the more endorphins we release, the happier we are. Stress survivors view dance exercise as one of the most economical, enjoyable, and effective means of de-stress.

For a truly hilarious dance, try some ole' school tunes. Incidentally, if dancing is taboo in certain homes, don't despair. Gather up some fast-paced praise music, jump up and down and move all around. Whatever music, whatever movements, as long as we keep that adrenaline pumping, we're making progress in reducing our stress. 

Go ahead, laugh, cry, shout and praise, but . . . DON'T STOP DANCING!

Peace I leave with you . . .  

"Dedicated to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS DEVOTIONAL

"Dedicated to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS MINI

HOW, on earth, can we expect to experience a less-stressful life,

if we fail to follow God's Word and His Will?

"Dedicated to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS FROM BLAME

                  "Then Sarai said to Abram, 'My wrong be upon you . . . '"

~ Genesis 16:5a

As shocking as it sounds, people, of all ages and from all walks of life, constantly ping-pong accusations over who did what to whom.

  

We expend so much energy pointing fingers and pronouncing blame on others until we seldom realize how we're piling stress on ourselves. 

In Genesis Chapter 16, we witness Abraham (Abram) and Sarah(Sarai) in the middle of a stressful situation.  Since she couldn't bear children, Sarah told Abraham to take her maid and have children with her. So Abraham slept with Hagar, the maid, and she conceived his child.   

After Hagar got pregnant, she despised Sarah. And Sarah blamed Abraham . . . And Abraham, likewise, blamed Sarah. Then when Sarah mistreated Hagar, the maid ran away. STRESS . . . STRESS . . . STRESS!

Honestly, for all of that stress and confusion, who's to blame? In Abraham and Sarah's situation, as in so many of our own, what difference will shifting the blame make? What will it possibly change when it's decided who's to blame? 

Stress survivors readily admit that playing the blame game can tremendously stress us and cause our lives to be total disasters. And, in the end, it isn't worth the endless arguments and stresses we suffer.  

Let's De-Stress from blame by channeling our energies toward peaceful affairs; by clinging to God's Word; and by making certain WE ARE NOT TO BLAME. 

Peace I leave with you . . .

"Devoted to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS DEVOTIONAL

"Dedicated to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS MINI

"Devoted to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

DE-STRESS FROM INSECURITY

       "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."

~ Numbers 13:30b NKJV

Remember the time when God commanded Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan, and to see what the land and the people were like? (Numbers Chapter 13) Remember how Moses specifically instructed the men to "be of good courage?"

Courage back then, same as now, was an essential characteristic for any undertaking of success. Quests of the unknown--then and now--sprout situations and stresses far too fierce to attempt a journey without courage. Definitely, a de-stress journey. 

Then, after 40 days, the men returned to Moses and the children of Israel with a bad report (stress), "The people who dwell in the land are strong . . .men of great stature--giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

Make no mistake, however courageous we think we are, is exactly the way we will be. Insecure and insignificant thinking confines us to "grasshopper" mentalities and, in turn, creates giant-sized stresses. No doubt, how we see ourselves is how others will too.

Stress survivors are convinced insecurity originates from within. Thus, we realize we must de-stress from insecurity from the inside out. While stress is without restrictions, de-stress requires courage. So to truly de-stress, it's imperative for us to have courage.  
Looking back, there stood one man before Moses and the people who didn't cower to insecurity stress. Caleb quieted the people (de-stress) and spoke differently than all the rest, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."

It matters not who we are, or how powerful our opposition may be--even when we're the minority of only one--if we want to eliminate insecurity stresses, we must, first, believe we can. Once we decide to de-stress from insecurity, we stand firm; stay focused; and steady our faith in God.  

Whatever the situation, stress survivors believe we are well able to overcome.


Peace I leave with you . . .  

"Dedicated to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

LET'S DE-STRESS DEVOTIONAL

"Devoted to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

MINI DE-STRESS

"Devoted to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

COMING OUT THE STRESS CLOSET

                   "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom
                          for such a time as this?" ~   Esther 4:14b NKJV

In our world, we're witnessing a revolution of people coming out the closet.  A most amazing observation about this coming-out-the-closet craze is, despite so much boldness from so many, we who are stressed and needing desperately to de-stress seem to be shy and ashamed.

Whether they're negative, positive, or seriously strange, confessions come forth for all types of reasons. And while stress tends to be negative, our need to de-stress shouldn't be something we choose to conceal in our emotional closets.

The Bible's Old Testament book of Esther shines a unique light on coming out the closet. When Queen Esther learned stressful news of Mordecia (her deceased father's nephew -- now her foster father) and all her people to be destroyed, "the queen was deeply distressed."

Though Queen Esther hadn't come out the closet and confessed her true heritage, Mordecia reminded her that she too was one of these people; and even as the king's "new" queen, she surely would be destroyed along with them and him.

Esther fast and prayed -- and she instructed Mordecia and her people to do the same. Knowing it was forbidden (punishable by death) for anyone to approach the king before being summoned, she stepped in faith to the king's presence to plead for her people.

When King Ahasuerus saw Queen Esther "she found favor in his sight. . ." He held out his golden scepter to her, and he granted her request even before she asked.    

Like Queen Esther, stress survivors are now coming out the closet. Attempting to hide our stresses only increases them and makes matters worse. We feel if Queen Esther--wife of that king--could confess and de-stress, then we--children of the King--can too.

As we do what Queen Esther did--fast, pray, step in faith, and surround ourselves with those who do the same--by God's grace, we too can experience less stress and more success.  


Peace I leave with you . . . 

DE-STRESS DEVOTIONAL

HAPPY FOURTH

GUARANTEES

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

~ Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Once in a while, people all around the world find themselves in situations and circumstances that call for mental and/or emotional aide. 

Stress survivors can honestly attest how stresses can become so enormous, and so overwhelming, that we're driven to seeking some sort of effective relief.

In cases of prolonged or health-debilitating stress, some of us seek professional help and, as a result, are advised or issued various types of medical prescriptions.

Depending on the severity of stress, these prescriptions might help, and they might not. The thing is, most physicians won't offer any type of guarantee, regardless of what they advise or prescribe. 

That's why more and more stress survivors follow God's prescription for stress. "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . ."

Naturally, many are hesitant to try new or unfamiliar prescriptions. And, yes, God's prescriptions fit into this category as well. And just as with man's prescriptions, some will try what God prescribes, and some won't.

The amazing thing about God's prescription is He fully guarantees whatever He offers to be effective. But one thing's for sure: we will never know how great God's prescriptions can be, unless we're willing to give them a try. 


Peace I leave with you . . .