Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ACTIONS OR EMOTIONS
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . . "
Colossians 3:17
Colossians 3:17
HERE WE ARE AGAIN. Another Christmas season, and, of course, another stressful season.
Let's be practical. Is it our actions or our emotions that cause the most stress during the Christmas season?
Yes, we tend to devote increased energies at home, work, and with various organizations for Christmas festivities. For the most part, these actions excite us and create only minimal stress.
On the other hand, we spend extensive and unnecessary energies dealing with our emotions. Stressing over people, places, and things that are frivolous and far-fetched goes against the de-stressing grain.
Unreasonable expectations have a way of producing stress in a matter of minutes. Once we allow our giving-and-receiving to become overly materialistic, before we realize it, stresses are on the rise.
Stress-survivors have discovered something--not necessarily new--that's quite effective in combating holiday stress.
Celebrating with these words from COLOSSIANS 3:17. . . "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . . " not only makes our Christmases brighter, but also makes our stresses lighter.
This Christmas, whether it's our actions or emotions, let's be mindful to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" as we embrace our holiday preparations and celebrations. Let's reduce seasonal stress.
Peace I leave with you . . .
Yes, we tend to devote increased energies at home, work, and with various organizations for Christmas festivities. For the most part, these actions excite us and create only minimal stress.
On the other hand, we spend extensive and unnecessary energies dealing with our emotions. Stressing over people, places, and things that are frivolous and far-fetched goes against the de-stressing grain.
Unreasonable expectations have a way of producing stress in a matter of minutes. Once we allow our giving-and-receiving to become overly materialistic, before we realize it, stresses are on the rise.
Stress-survivors have discovered something--not necessarily new--that's quite effective in combating holiday stress.
Celebrating with these words from COLOSSIANS 3:17. . . "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . . " not only makes our Christmases brighter, but also makes our stresses lighter.
This Christmas, whether it's our actions or emotions, let's be mindful to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" as we embrace our holiday preparations and celebrations. Let's reduce seasonal stress.
Peace I leave with you . . .
Sunday, November 13, 2011
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
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 . . .
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 . . .
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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 . . .
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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, KJVYep . . . 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.
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 . . .
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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