DISCIPLINE

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,
but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

Discipline? . . . In these times? With these stresses?

Like most public perception, stress-survivors feel that discipline can be difficult--quite difficult. Yet, a continuous cycle of whatever-will-be-will-be, leads to continuous stress.

Because discipline contributes to various aspects of less-stressful lifestyles, it's imperative that we make every effort to execute it.

One essential fact in dealing with discipline is that DISCIPLINE IS AN EVERYDAY THING. We can't expect to up and usher in discipline only during durations of stress.

Stress-survivors realize the more we perform discipline, the more perfected we become; thereby reducing lots and lots of stress.

Without discipline, we're apt to invite unnecessary stresses that possibly could be avoided. More often than not, we're caught in the middle of, or millimeters away from, full-blown stresses; all because of lack of discipline.

Stress-survivors are learning to implement definite courtesies to avoid stress caused from chaos and confusion. We realize the magnitude of premeditated actions and reactions, and accelerated disciplines.

We stress-survivors have no doubt that "Discipline" can make a tremendous difference in the way we handle stress.


Peace I leave with you . . .

A DISCERNING SPIRIT

NOTE: Please pardon our absence for the past few weeks. Circumstances summoned elsewhere.

Quite often, stress-survivors share a most unique testimony: The more we experience life, the more unbelievable it becomes.

Things we wouldn't have ever imagined . . . people we wouldn't have ever suspected . . . troubles we wouldn't have touched with a ten-foot pole, have somehow bewitched our lives and sent us straight into a stressful mode.

While stresses of any kind are rarely welcomed, there's no stress more damaging than those unexpected ones. These are the ones that stress the heart, mind, and soul.

Searching ourselves--and all else--with a great many why-comes and why-me, stress-survivors unanimously agree that it's wise to develop a discerning spirit.

A discerning, or wise, spirit can largely affect the direction, the degree, and the damage of most stresses.

Harboring a discerning spirit, stress-survivors learn to sidestep senseless stress and to carefully consider the stresses that unexpectedly bombard our lives.

If there's ever a time when stress-survivors desperately need discernment, the time is NOW.

Please, be encouraged: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." ~ James 1:5

Peace I leave with you . . .

MEMORIES

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;if there be any virture, and if there be any praise, think on these things." ~Philippians 4:8, KJV

Yep . . . we've all got "Memories." Pleasant ones. Unpleasant ones.

As much as we love revisiting pleasant memories, it's amazing how unpleasant ones can affect us. Unpleasant memories conjure more stresses than we would image.

What, for the sake of stress, do we do with hurtful and heartbreaking memories that keep us irritated, sad, and depressed?

A while back, we were advised to write our woeful memories on paper, tie the paper with string and attach it to balloons, letting those balloons carry all our stressful memories away.

Stress-survivors nowadays feel the need to banish our bad memories in a more effective way. What we reccommend to end the concentration of bad memories is to crowd them out--by creating new ones. Good ones.

In our quest to eliminate stress, we must be willing to constantly separate the good from the bad. That's why it's important to treasure sweet memories and toss away stressful ones.

Not sure how to end stressful memories and make sweet ones all over again?

For starters, we begin by thinking good thoughts; doing good deeds; sharing good company; and of course, trusting the goodness of God.

When stress-survivors have contributed all we're capable of, we relinquish our stand and rely on God for renewed and right relationships--bigger and better opportunities--liberal and lasting peace--and an abundance of precious memories.

Peace I leave with you . . .

REMEMBERING

REMEMBERING

THE LIVES

OF

LOST LOVED ONES.

SEPTEMBER 11

FOR WHATEVER REASON

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: . . ."
Deuteronomy 29:29a

Things happen for a reason.

Yes, stress-survivors agree that there are no coincidences.

Whether we are aware of definite reasons or not, we believe reasons exist for everything that happens.

As much as stress-survivors hold firm to this belief, when unfortunate circumstances come our way, it is still stressful.

Because we desire to handle stress constructively--without falling apart at the onset of every incident--we approach whatever betides us with as much faith and fortitude as we can muster.

Sure, things do happen. . . things we like . . . things we don't like. But for whatever reason these things do or do not happen, stress-survivors believe there's always a contributing cause.

As for why things happen when, where, and how they do, we don't dare claim to know how to fit pieces to stressful puzzles. That's why we delight in knowing that the secret things belong to God, for He knows all.

However clueless or uncomfortable our lack of reasons may be, and with whatever stresses may arise, stress-survivors continue trusting in God for guidance, protection, answers, inspiration, and HIS PEACE that surpasses all our understanding.

Peace I leave with you . . .

LEGACY OF LOVE

". . . With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

In her recent bestseller, fiction novelist, Adriana Trigiani, wrote: "I have not had the true love I had hoped for in my life, and now, I wonder if it is even possible."

It is no surprise the majority of stress-survivors have entertained similar words--or thoughts. Sad to say, rocky relationships is as close as many of us have come to sharing true love.

Our legacy of love--or lack thereof--can contribute to the greatest degree of stress in the history of stresses.

Thinking our love life would fall in line with our most intimate and deepest dreams, but instead, struggling to keep dying "infatuations" alive, stress-survivors encounter major disappointments and pain.

There are some who insist the legacy of love is overrated, and deduce their lives to the irony that "Love is a Luxury few of us can afford."

Although few stress-survivors can claim never having stressed over love, we cling to the belief that love--true love--is a gift from God.

Because stress-survivors believe that Love's Legacy originates with God, we remain confident that, of ourselves, true love may seem impossible, but with God a legacy of love is indeed possible.

Peace I leave with you . . .

GREAT CHAMPIONS

* After our last Let's De-Stress Newsletter, a fellow stress-survivor shared this concern: "You always speak to my heart, however, what happens when every move I make FORWARD, looking back keeps hitting me in the FACE?" . . . ~Puzzled M.

This Newsletter is a follow-up to that concern.

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24

TO BE SURE, moving forward--in spite of past obstacles--requires tremendous strength and courage.

For the sake of familiarity, let's consider the game of football--particularly unforgettable champions. In the world of football, champions are esteemed for their ability to persevere to the goal line--to make that grand touchdown.

Strangely enough, football champions and stress-survivors have a lot in common--both must be fearless and forthright.

With every offense they face, great champions continue to maneuver their way. When tackled by hard-hitting and body-slamming blows, champions strategically weave in . . . out . . . and all around to find a victorious path.

However clever the offense becomes, great champions are determined to beat the obstacles. If they err, they keep on running; If they fall down, they get back up--and keep on running. Whatever action that puts them closer to that goal, they do it.

But here's the thing: Great champions prepare to be the best at their game. They think positively. . . Strategize profoundly. . . . proceed professionally . . . And practice, practice, practice. Even when unsure of how a particular play will result, all-around winners charge ahead anyhow. They continuously play to win.

As stress-survivors, we are not always certain of each solution as we move forward in the game of life, but with die-hard determination, we continue running toward our goal.

Like that of great football champions, stress-survivors strength, confidence, and sheer determination insures success upon success, and inspires us to win the war against stress. Touchdown!

Peace I leave with you . . .

P.S. Please feel free to keep those comments/questions coming.